Bersatu-PAS grassroots ties still cordial, says Johor PN chief

MUAR: Johor Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief Dr Sahruddin Jamal says ties between the Bersatu and PAS grassroots remain cordial, with the PAS machinery assisting him on the campaign trail in Bukit Kepong ahead of the state election this month.

Sahruddin, the Johor Bersatu chief, said despite tensions at the leadership level, Bersatu and PAS members had continued working together, particularly in Bukit Kepong and Bukit Pasir.

He said he also holds regular discussions with his PAS counterpart, Mahfodz Mohamed.

“We know what has happened at the central leadership,” Sahruddin told FMT, referring to PAS’s decision to sever ties with Bersatu.

“But at the grassroots level, PAS and Bersatu still get along. In Bukit Kepong, we are working together.”

The former menteri besar’s remarks follow a reported “directive” by PAS for its members and supporters to vote for Umno or Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in state constituencies where PN is not contesting.

Its deputy president, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, said he was confident that members understood the importance of ummah unity, and that PN was the platform to achieve that goal.

Sahruddin, a two-term assemblyman, will defend the Bukit Kepong seat in a three-cornered fight against Pakatan Harapan’s C Subramani and BN’s Ahmad Syarie Yusof.

Sahruddin expressed confidence that PAS’s hardcore supporters in Bukit Kepong would not back the BN candidate, citing the long-standing ties between Bersatu supporters and those of the Islamic party.

He was responding to Syarie’s remarks about courting PAS supporters following the tensions between PAS and Bersatu.

Sahruddin also said Muhyiddin Yassin, as a former prime minister and Johor menteri besar, was still an influential figure for PN, especially in Pagoh where he is the MP.

“The public associates Pagoh with Muhyiddin,” he said, adding that he aims to retain the state seat with a majority of more than 1,000, slightly higher than the 710-majority he secured in the 2022 election.

Johor goes to the polls on Juy 11.