As Amanah eyes Mahkota seat, DAP cites 'incumbency' principle

Following Kluang Amanah’s bid to contest the Mahkota seat in Johor, the state’s DAP chief Liew Chin Tong said both Pakatan Harapan and BN leaders should be allowed to discuss the matter without their demands aired through the media.

On the same note, he said Johor DAP adhered to the principle of “incumbency” where the party that won the seat in the previous polls would field a candidate in the by-election as well.

“Let the leaders make a decision without any speculation or demands from any quarters through the media.

“Negotiations for the seat will be between Pakatan Harapan and BN leaders. Johor DAP will respect whatever decision is made,” Liew (above) added in a statement this afternoon.

The Mahkota seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent from Umno, Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, last week.

Kluang Amanah chief Mohd Zuhan Mohd Zain was reported as asking for the seat based on an in-depth analysis of the current political situation.

“First, the Johor state government is not a unity government as practised by the federal government and several other states.

“Although we see harmony, Harapan is nothing more than a friendly party, as we are not incorporated into the government; there is no exco from Harapan, no councillors, and not even a village chief,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.

Zuhan was also displeased with Kluang Umno division chief Md Jais Sarday, whom he claimed openly does not want to cooperate with Harapan parties.

“This statement has deeply hurt our grassroots supporters and has opened the door for enemies to divide the unity government in Kluang,” he said.

Last month, the Umno division chief lamented that working with DAP was not beneficial for Umno and BN in terms of championing Malay rights.

“This cooperation has become a ‘thorn in the flesh’ when there are constant demands for things which hurt the feelings of the Malays,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

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