No decision by PN on backing BN to form Johor govt, says Bersatu

PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional (PN) has made no decision to support Barisan Nasional (BN) in forming the Johor government after the state polls, says Bersatu.

While PAS had decided to support BN to form the government should the latter fail to reach a simple majority, Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said this was not PN’s official stand.

He said the matter was never discussed by the Supreme Council of PN, which is currently chaired by PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.

“I am unsure about the possibility that certain parties held negotiations (with BN), thereby turning their backs on PN once again,” he told FMT.

Nonetheless, Tun Faisal said Bersatu’s stand remains consistent with that of PN: to win as many seats as possible to serve as an effective opposition in the state assembly.

“If we can deny BN a super majority in the state assembly, the Johor government cannot neglect the people or force policies through.”

Last night, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said the party was ready to support BN in forming the Johor government if the coalition falls short of attaining a simple majority in the state polls.

A total of 56 seats in the state assembly are up for grabs while a simple majority is reached at 29 seats.

BN and Pakatan Harapan are contesting all 56 seats. PN is vying for 33, with PAS going for 11 and Bersatu 16.