'Water over dam, under bridge', Salahuddin says over Johor Amanah issues

Johor Pakatan Harapan chief Salahuddin Ayub today said any unhappiness within Amanah over seat distribution among the coalition, with the party giving up Tanjung Piai to Muda, has been resolved.

Salahuddin, who is also Amanah deputy president, said the resolution is in line with Harapan's discipline to accept decisions made by the top leadership.

"For me, it is water over the dam, water under the bridge.

"There is no more dispute. That is our discipline in Harapan," Salahuddin said at a press conference with state Harapan leaders in Johor Bahru after a function to formally introduce 26 parliamentary candidates.

"We can discuss, be firm and fight (for seats) but when the Top 5 (leaders) have decided, we will accept despite any dissatisfaction," said Salahuddin who will be defending his Pulai seat.

Last week, Johor Amanah committee leader Mazlan Aliman had criticised his own top leadership for being "weak in seat negotiations" which resulted in the party giving up Tanjung Piai to Muda, despite already allocated the least number of seats.

He also said it was a repeat of when Amanah gave up the Puteri Wangsa state seat - a safe urban mixed constituency - to Muda during the Johor state election.

Overall, Salahuddin said Johor Harapan has targeted to retain all of its 18 incumbent seats and eyeing up to four more new seats - Tenggara, Pengerang, Sembrong and Pontian.

Meanwhile, Johor PKR chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh echoed Salahuddin's response, when asked for comments over his party giving up its Pontian seat to DAP - adding to the latter's group of three Malay candidates.

"We abide by the discipline. I have to admit it came as a slight shock but we have trust and faith in the decision made by the leadership.

"I have also urged our grassroots to accept the decision and offer support [...] Most importantly we have the same goal," said the Ledang incumbent fielded to defend his seat.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke yesterday confirmed his party's move to field a candidate in Pontian after further negotiations.

Loke also announced that a new face, Shazwan Zainal Abidin, would be Harapan’s candidate for the Pontian seat.

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