BN grateful for PAS’s support, but must win on own strength, says Tok Mat

MUAR: Barisan Nasional (BN) has welcomed PAS’s move to instruct its members and supporters to vote for the coalition’s candidates in seats where Perikatan Nasional (PN) is not fielding candidates in the Johor state election.

BN deputy chairman Mohamad Hasan however said that the coalition could not rely too heavily on support from others and must secure victory on its own strength.

“I thank Tuan Guru Haji Hadi (PAS president) if that can be translated on July 11, but I also tell our machinery that we must continue working hard. In life, we should not depend on others’ sympathy.

“We must build our own strength. If anyone wants to help, Alhamdulillah, and we thank them,” he told reporters after a campaign event with residents in the Simpang Jeram state constituency.

Following a central committee meeting yesterday, PAS had urged voters not to support Pakatan Harapan (PH), including in two-cornered contests involving BN.

PN is contesting 33 of the 56 state seats in the July 11 election, with Bersatu contesting 16, PAS 11, MIPP five, and Pejuang one.

Fourteen seats will see straight fights between BN and PH, namely Buloh Kasap, Bekok, Tangkak, Bentayan, Yong Peng, Parit Yaani, Penggaram, Machap, Mengkibol, Tanjung Surat, Benut, Pulai Sebatang, Pekan Nanas, and Kukup.

Nine other seats – Mahkota, Puteri Wangsa, Johor Jaya, Larkin, Perling, Kempas, Skudai, Bukit Batu, and Senai – will witness multi-cornered contests also involving Parti Bersatu Malaysia, Muda, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, and independent candidates.