We support incumbent rule, but still ready to contest - Mat Sabu

Amanah supports the principle of giving way to the incumbent party in by-elections, however, the principle is not set in stone, said its president Mohamad Sabu.

He added that his party would contest any by-election if the government leadership gave it the opportunity.

The agriculture and food security minister believed seat distribution should be discussed by the top leaders of the coalition government.

“Even the issue of seat distribution in the 16th general election has yet to be discussed and decided by the highest body of the unity coalition,” Mohamad said in a statement today.

The Kota Raja MP previously said national-level government leaders will decide on the candidate for Mahkota.

This came after a back-and-forth between Kluang Amanah chief Mohd Zuhan Mohd Zain and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over who will represent the coalition government in the upcoming Mahkota by-election.

Zuhan urged the BN chairperson not to decide on the upcoming Mahkota by-election as discussions have not been held yet.

He also denied that Amanah was demanding BN’s seat to contest, saying the coalition government does not even exist in Johor.

“He (Zahid) should immediately advise Onn Hafiz Ghazi as Johor menteri besar and Johor Umno chairperson to gather the leadership of Pakatan Harapan and BN to discuss this issue immediately.

“Focus on this issue thoroughly, then we will decide who is the Mahkota state assembly candidate,” Zuhan said on Facebook.

Mahkota is one of two state seats under the DAP-held Kluang federal constituency in Johor, the other being Mengkibol, which is also DAP’s.

The Johor state assembly is led by BN which won an over two-thirds majority in the 2022 state election, while opposition Harapan has a good relationship with the ruling government.

‘Small leader’

Zuhan was responding to Zahid’s announcement two days ago that BN will contest in Mahkota next month.

Zahid reportedly warned coalition government leaders not to demand seats allocated to a particular party, referring to Zuhan earlier expressing his division’s intention to contest.

In a statement, Zuhan told Zahid to focus on the ongoing Nenggiri by-election first.

Zuhan also took offence at the Umno president for indirectly calling him a “small” leader.

Zahid had said he did not want statements to be issued by “big or small leaders” claiming seats that were previously allocated.

In the 2022 Johor state election, Amanah’s Muhammad Taqiuddin Cheman failed to defend Mahkota for Harapan in a four-cornered contest against Umno’s Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, Perikatan Nasional, and Warisan.

Nomination day has been set for Sept 14, early voting on 24, and constituents will cast their ballots on the 28th.

The by-election was called following the death of Sharifah on Aug 2.

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