Negotiations between Umno and PAS over rights to field candidates for the Johor legislative assembly broke down because the latter is seeking a bigger slice of the pie.

Umno only wants PAS to field four candidates, but the latter is claiming seats that BN could not win during the 2018 election.

There are 56 seats in the Johor legislative assembly. BN, the coalition which Umno leads, won 19 seats and in the process, failed to retain 18 seats during the 2018 election, all of which were picked up by Pakatan Harapan.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, deputy PAS president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said his party's strategy was superior because it would "ensure" Harapan's defeat.

"PAS respects Umno's position to go solo. For PAS, we have extended our hand to cooperate and unite the ummah.

"Offering us just four out of 56 seats, in my mind, is not a good idea. PAS is only seeking seats that were not won by BN, especially seats held by Amanah (a Harapan component party).

"Our offer will strengthen cooperation and unite the ummah. Our goal is to ensure Harapan doesn't return to power in Johor," he said.

If PAS was eyeing all the seats which BN could not win, that means PAS was eyeing 37 candidates. During the 2018 election, PAS fielded 40 candidates, of which only one won.

Amanah, a PAS splinter party, won six seats during the 2018 Johor legislative assembly election.

It is understood that Umno splinter party Bersatu - which leads the Perikatan Nasional coalition where PAS is a member - has offered PAS a chance to field 15 candidates.

Meanwhile, Tuan Ibrahim said Perikatan Nasional (PN) would be giving its all during the upcoming Johor elections.

Asked if PAS will be using the PN banner during the Johor election, Tuan Ibrahim said it would be decided by the party leadership soon.

 

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