Kota Iskandar showdown brews as Amanah challenges Umno in Johor state polls
Iskandar Puteri Umno information chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Sapian said the division is geared to contest against Amanah, irrespective of whether it's a straight fight or multiple cornered contest in Kota Iskandar.
He said the Iskandar Puteri Umno division will not be intimidated by any political manoeuvring made by Amanah or their allies in Pakatan Harapan (PH).
'We are ready to face any form of challenge.
'If Amanah chooses to split votes among themselves, Umno sees this as evidence of PH's weakness in failing to manage internal issues.
'The people will judge who is sincerely looking after their interests and who is simply pursuing power,' he said in a statement today.
Abdul Aziz was responding to an earlier statement by Iskandar Puteri Amanah division that laid claim on both Kota Iskandar and Skudai for PH.
The former two-term Nusajaya assemblyman (prior to renaming to Kota Iskandar in 2018), said Umno respects the right of any political party to contest and determine their candidate in any seat. However, he explained that Umno determines its candidates and strategies based on the people's priorities, the strength of its grassroots and the need to ensure political stability for the continued development of Johor.
'For Umno, all negotiations and decisions on seat distribution are the prerogative of the party and coalition's highest leadership,' he said, adding that the final decision is not based on the wishes of Umno members at divisional levels.
Abdul Aziz said Umno remains committed to strengthening Johor's political stability, especially in the strategic area of Kota Iskandar where where continued development and public well-being are priorities.
'As the Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representative, represented by Umno, in Kota Iskandar, we will continue to serve until the term ends without being distracted by Amanah's political rhetoric.
'Rest assured that the Iskandar Puteri Umno division will continue to ensure that the area remains under a credible and stable leadership that serves the people, and not just a slogan,' he said.
Earlier, the Iskandar Puteri Amanah division declared it is prepared for PH to contest solo in Skudai and Kota Iskandar, setting up a possible clash with BN that is incumbent in the latter seat. Its division chief Dzulkefly Ahmad said PH's official decision to contest in both of the state constituencies under the Iskandar Puteri federal seat was the result of the party division's annual general meeting on Sunday.
Dzulkefly, who is also Johor Amanah deputy chairman, said the party is prepared for any outcome, including a three-cornered contest, if necessary, by bringing the people's agenda of unity, institutional reform and sustainable development.
Kota Iskandar is a highly coveted seat as it is also the location for Johor's administrative capital with the same name.
The state constituency was helmed by PH under Amanah after the watershed 2018 general elections. However, PH lost the seat to BN in the 2022 state election, where Umno maintains a strong presence.
Skudai has traditionally been under PH and is a known DAP stronghold since 2008.
Both state constituencies make up the Iskandar Puteri federal constituency.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
UMNO Must Lead Digital Narrative, Reach Youth To Stay Relevant– Zambry
KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- UMNO must lead in shaping the digital narrative, strengthen its presence on new media and engage young voters to remain relevant, UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said today. He said politics has entered the digital era in which information, perceptions and sentiments are rapidly shaped through social media and online platforms. 'This new challenge requires UMNO to adopt fresher, more flexible and pragmatic approaches. We cannot remain bound by the old ways,' he said in a Facebook post.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Federal leader's insult pushed GRS into unity govt, says Hajiji
GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said many of Sabah's demands were approved by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whereas previous leaders found difficulty in devolving power to the state. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A federal leader's disdain for the proposed 'Borneo Bloc' political cooperation led Gabungan Rakyat Sabah into supporting Anwar Ibrahim's formation of the unity government after the 2022 general election, GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said today. Speaking at the annual convention of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, he said a former federal leader, whom he did not name, had dismissed the idea of Bornean cooperation. 'I was with Masidi Manjun and Jeffrey Kitingan in a meeting with a big leader over there (in Peninsular Malaysia) at the time. The person said they were the masters. He did not like the Borneo Bloc. He did not want us to share our experiences and stories with our neighbouring state of Sarawak,' he said. 'I was shocked by his words. I thought about them for a long time. What did they mean? What was his intent? As I thought about it, I lost heart (tawar hati) in these people,' he said in a video of his speech published on Facebook by Sabah Media. Hajiji said it was after much thought that he finally decided that GRS would support the unity government being formed by Anwar. Since then, he said Anwar's government 'has listened to our voices, and we have been treated well', and reiterated that GRS remained in support of the prime minister. Hajiji said many of Sabah's demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 were approved by Anwar, as opposed to previous leaders who found difficulty in devolving power to the state. 'So what are we hoping for? If the unity government is good for our state, why shouldn't we support it?' he said. In March, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said the unity government had successfully resolved nine key claims related to MA63, including power to regulate gas supply in Sabah, the administration of the judiciary in Sabah and Sarawak, and guidelines on land reserved for federal purposes in the two states.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
People's views not same as those with lust for power, says PM's aide
The 'Turun Anwar' rally on Saturday was described by PAS as representing the people's vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. PETALING JAYA : The unity government will listen to all the people, and not just to the voices behind political microphones on rally stages, an aide to the prime minister said today. 'There is a big difference between the people's voice and the political agendas of certain parties who are trying to drag the people into validating their lust for power,' said Shamsul Iskandar Akin, senior political secretary to the prime minister. Shamsul Iskandar Akin. He said the government led by Anwar Ibrahim was built upon an electoral mandate and Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin and his coalition partners should return to the electoral arena if they were confident that public sentiment about the government had shifted. 'Not through street rallies, not by inflating crowd numbers, and not by manipulating racial and religious issues to provoke emotions,' he said in a statement, Bernama reported. His statement comes in the wake of the 'Turun Anwar' rally in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, which police said was attended by an estimated 18,000 people. However, PAS officials claimed that 200,000 people took part. The rally was later described by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan as a vote of no confidence by the people against Anwar and he urged the prime minister to take heed of the turnout and resign instead of waiting for a confidence motion in the Dewan Rakyat. Shamsul said in a statement that the government respected the people's right to assemble and express opinions, and had ensured that no harsh action was taken, no tear gas fired, and no stages destroyed. 'The people's right to speak is protected. But their voices must not be exploited, and democracy must not be held hostage in the name of vengeance and power struggles,' he said.
