MUAR: Perikatan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has dismissed speculation of formal talks between Pas and Barisan Nasional during the Johor election campaign.
Samsuri, who is also Pas vice-president, said the Islamist party is focused on its own election machinery and campaign strategies for the July 11 polls.
He said perceptions that Pas and BN were engaged in political negotiations were unfounded, as each party was concentrating on its respective campaign efforts ahead of the Johor polls.
“The cooperation being talked about now is merely the perception of outsiders. What is happening is simply that each side is making its own considerations in its respective constituencies.
“There are no discussions taking place. We are focused on our own election machinery and campaign work,” said Samsuri after a walkabout with PN’s Maharani state seat candidate, Anuar Hayan, in Bandar Maharani last night.
He said that as PN was contesting only 33 of the 56 state seats, voters in constituencies where the coalition was not fielding candidates would naturally have to make their own choices at the ballot box.
He stressed that this was a reality of the electoral system and should not be interpreted as evidence of any political cooperation or formal negotiations between Pas and BN.
“There is no confusion among voters, unless we were contesting all the seats, which is obviously not the case.
“We are contesting only about half of the seats. Naturally, in constituencies where we are not contesting, voters will have to decide for themselves how to cast their votes.”
Speculation over Pas-BN ties intensified after Pas leaders urged party members and supporters to back Umno-BN candidates in state constituencies not contested by PN in the Johor election.
The issue gained further attention after several Pas division leaders were seen attending Umno programmes in Rengit, fuelling speculation that the two parties were moving closer politically.
However, Samsuri maintained that such developments should not be construed as proof of any formal negotiations between Pas and BN.
He added that PN’s priority remained securing victories for its candidates and strengthening its campaign machinery in the constituencies it was contesting.
PN is contesting 33 seats in this state election, with Pas contesting 11 seats. Both BN and Pakatan Harapan will go head-to-head in all 56 seats. – NST
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