INTERVIEW PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub has shot down the claim by Umno's Johor Baru MP Shahrir Samad that a political upset for the ruling coalition in Johor is "impossible".

"Any political party or leader who assumes that the rakyat are like how they were before independence is wrong. Times have changed," the Kubang Kerian MP said in an interview with Malaysiakini .

NONE Despite facing an stunning electoral setback in the 2008 general election, the ruling coalition nevertheless swept 25 of the 26 parliamentary seats in its southern peninsula stronghold, which is also the birthplace of Umno, on top of 50 out of the 56 state seats.

Shahrir had in an interview with Sin Chew Daily on Monday said the BN is likely to improve its already strong position in Johor in the coming general election.

Unlike BN leaders in the other states, Shahrir had said the coalition's Johor representatives were more humble and have more modest lifestyles.

While conceding that Pakatan Rakyat will face an uphill task in Johor, Salahuddin insisted that it would still be able to increase its tally of both state and parliamentary seats.

"It will be good enough if we can take half of the parliamentary seats in the next general election," said Salahuddin, who is expected to relinquish his seat in his home state Kelantan seat to contest in Johor in the coming general election, which is widely expected to be held in June.

"The youth are becoming more politically aware and support from the non-Malays in Johor is increasing.

"The change that took place in Selangor in 2008 can happen in Johor too," he said, adding that the next election would be Pakatan's best chance yet to make inroads in Johor.

PAS will work to improve its existing Malay Muslim support base, Salahuddin said, and was eyeing some 20 state seats in Johor, which it believes it has a good chance of winning.

Two-term limit for MB's post

He said the party has, in recent years, shed its image of a northern provincial party and this will prove to be its strength in Johor.

"Previously, PAS was isolated... It was framed as an extremist party. But that was once upon a time.

"PAS is no longer just a party of religious scholars. We also have professionals, including doctors, engineers and teachers, and they will be part of our line-up for the next general election," Salahuddin said.

The party's effort to project a moderate image, he said, was the formation of the PAS Supporters' Wing comprising non-Muslims, some of whom would stand as election candidates in Johor.

Among the local issues that might swing the pendulum of power in Johor, he said, were land matters concerning Felda and the RM6 billion Petronas refinery in Pengerang, which would displace local residents and destroy the livelihood of fishermen there.

Aside from focusing on these issues, Salahuddin said, Pakatan Johor would soon unveil its manifesto for the state.

"I will make an announcement for Pakatan in Johor. If we take over the state, the post of menteri besar will have a two-term limit," said the man who will spearhead the opposition campaign in Umno's traditional bastion.

 

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