Johor Polls: Over 120 Former Bersatu Members Declare Support For PH

JOHOR BAHRU, July 8 (Bernama) -- More than 120 former members and leaders of the Pulai division of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) today declared their support for Pakatan Harapan (PH).

The PH candidate for the Kempas state seat in the Johor polls, Muhammad Faezuddin Mohd Puad, said the group had expressed its intention to support the coalition much earlier but chose to announce it publicly only today.

He said the former Bersatu leaders who joined PH included former Pulai Bersatu Srikandi Information chief Rafidah Ani, former Pulai Srikandi secretary Noriah Mat Daud, former Bukit Mewah Bersatu branch chief Mohd Suhimi Abdul Rahman, as well as several division and branch committee members.

"They had expressed their intention earlier, but preparations for the announcement were made today. They have also informed the (Bersatu) leadership of their decision,” he told a press conference here today.

Muhammad Faezuddin, who is also the Johor Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) head, said the main reason for their support was PH’s practice of helping people regardless of their political leanings.

"When we become elected representatives or form the government, we assist everyone. After the election, we help people, regardless of whether they are from Bersatu, UMNO, PKR, DAP or any other party.

"We want to cultivate a new political culture, not the old culture of helping only supporters or cronies of certain parties. Perhaps, that approach has made them feel comfortable joining us,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rafidah claimed her disappointment with Bersatu's leadership, which she said failed to provide recognition and assistance to the people, prompted her to switch her allegiance to PH.

She said that throughout her involvement in the party, she always wanted to help those in need, such as single mothers, but found it difficult to obtain the necessary support from her former party.

"I was disappointed because Srikandi members were treated like second-class members and not appreciated,” she said.

Mohd Suhimi said his dissatisfaction with the treatment he received and the party's failure to secure assistance for local residents had prompted him and other members to leave Bersatu.

"With the current political uncertainty and the focus on the interests of certain individuals, I hope the PH candidate will bring more facilities and progress to Kempas, particularly in terms of the economy and healthcare,” he said.

Mohd Suhimi, who unofficially left Bersatu after the 2022 Johor state election, hopes that the PH candidate in this year's Johor polls will bring greater change to Kempas, especially in the areas of economic development and healthcare.

He also hopes to help strengthen PKR in Kempas by attracting more members, especially from the Kempas People's Housing Project (PPR) area.

Muhammad Faezuddin is facing a three-cornered contest for the Kempas state seat against candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama).

The 16th Johor state election will see 172 candidates contesting 56 state assembly seats, with the outcome to be decided by 2,727,926 eligible voters on Saturday (July 11).

For the latest news on the 16th Johor state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor/.

-- BERNAMA

N47: KEMPAS: 64,244 voters

1. Datuk Ramlee Bohani (BN-UMNO)

2. Muhammad Faezuddin Mohd Puad (PH-PKR)

3. Salamahafifi Mohd Yusnaieny (Bersama)

(2022: Datuk Ramlee Bohani: BN-UMNO: Majority: 3,514)

Johor Polls: Over 120 Former Bersatu Members Declare Support For PH

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