PKR’s Johor seat claims a negotiation ploy, says analyst

PKR’s Johor seat claims a negotiation ploy, says analyst

PETALING JAYA: PKR’s bid to target opposition strongholds in Johor, such as Pagoh, appears to be a negotiation tactic with Barisan Nasional over seat allocations for the next general election, says an analyst.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said PKR is likely using this approach as a bargaining tactic, anticipating that it may not secure all the seats it wants if its cooperation with BN continues.

“In my view, PKR’s claims on Pagoh and Mersing are part of a negotiation strategy. Even if they don’t get everything, they are aiming to secure certain targeted seats,” he told FMT.

Mazlan said Johor presents a particularly difficult battleground because Pakatan Harapan and BN are relying on different data sets to justify their claims.

He said PH is referring to the results of the 14th general election (GE14), while BN bases its demands on the outcome of the 2022 Johor state election.

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In GE14, PH, then allies with Bersatu, seized control of Johor. However, BN regained the state through a landslide win in the 2022 state polls.

Last Thursday, Johor PKR chief Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the party was eyeing three parliamentary seats – Muar, Pagoh and Mersing – for the next general election.

Her statement drew criticism from Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros, who accused PKR and Amanah leaders in the state of being hasty and overeager in laying claims over seats instead of focusing on solving people’s problems.

Johor Amanah had earlier expressed its intention to contest between 12 and 20 state seats in the next polls, citing the absence of clear negotiations between PH and BN in the state.

Pagoh is currently held by Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, who won with a majority of 10,007 votes in GE15. Muar is held by Muda’s Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, now serving his second term, while Mersing is held by Bersatu’s Islahuddin Abas.

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Mazlan warned that failure to reach an agreement between PH and BN could lead to clashes in certain constituencies.

“It’s possible they might contest against each other first and then form a government together after the election. That scenario cannot be ruled out,” he said.

Meanwhile, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara believes such clashes will be minimal, as PH and BN are seen as relatively compatible and are unlikely to risk handing any advantage to PN.

“If these two coalitions go head-to-head, PN will be the biggest beneficiary, and that must be avoided,” he said.