Khaled: PN's 'tricks' during August polls doesn't work in Johor

JOHOR BY-ELECTIONS | Johor Umno leaders joined their allies Pakatan Harapan in celebration today following the outcome of the twin by-elections for the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state seats.

Johor Umno chief Mohamed Khaled Nordin led his party’s delegation which included party supreme council member Ahmad Maslan, Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad, and Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azlene Ambros to Harapan’s operations centre in Dataran Taman Dahlia.

Although the results of the Pulai polls was not declared at the time, Harapan was on a clear track to win.

Khaled, in his address to some 300 supporters from both coalitions, said a matter of concern for Umno was how the outcome of the six state elections dominated by Perikatan Nasional would affect the by-elections today.

“But the outcome today has delivered a clear message that Johor was not swayed by (racial and religious) sentiments and fitnah (lies) played up in the six states,” he said.

Meanwhile, Noraini briefly welcomed Umno’s new “friend in Parliament”.

“We (Wanita Umno) are ready to serve, to assist BN and Harapan,” said the Parit Sulong MP.

Ahmad meanwhile entertained the crowd with several rounds of pantun (poems).

‘Umno helped a lot’

Meanwhile, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu admitted that he was also nervous based on the results of the six state elections.

"Selangor, which we held for over three terms, PN managed to capture 22 seats suddenly.

"It got us worried about how to handle the by-elections in Johor," he said.

Mohamad then thanked Umno for playing a big part in helping Amanah and Harapan retain their seats in Johor.

“I saw Umno Johor giving their best and that gave me confidence.

“This is a big win for us as we managed to put the extremist wave at bay and Umno helped us tremendously in this effort,” the minister said.

At the same time, Mohamad pledged Amanah's support to help BN retain the Pelangai state seat during the by-election next month.

Mohamad, together with Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong, excused themselves from the gathering, citing travels back to Kuala Lumpur tonight to attend the DAP national congress tomorrow.

Khaled and other Umno leaders also left, while Johor Amanah chief Aminolhuda Hassan and supporters waited for Suhaizan's arrival.

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