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PAGOH - Perikatan Nasional's (PN) defeat in the 16th Johor state election was allegedly expected following Pas' decision to sever ties with Bersatu and a delay in election preparations.
An internal Bersatu source stated that Pas severed ties with Bersatu about a week after the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly. This action created a negative perception of PN at a time when the coalition should have been strengthening its machinery.
According to the source, preparations for the state election did not run smoothly as the PN leadership failed to call for preparatory meetings, resulting in delayed machinery work.
"Pas broke ties with Bersatu just as we were about to face the election. That action gave a negative impression of PN. PN Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar himself did not call the coalition parties, causing delays in preparations. They (Pas) entered the election not to win, but to lose," the source said at the Bersatu Main Operations Room here on March 12.
The source also claimed that Pas initially had no real intention to contest in the Johor polls and only decided to participate after behind-the-scenes negotiations with other parties failed to reach a consensus.
"When the PN Chairman's previous statement went viral, it seemed to indicate an intention not to contest due to backroom negotiations. Only after those negotiations failed was the decision made to contest. For us, Pas's participation was not aimed at winning; instead, the situation only harmed PN," the source alleged.
According to the source, the actions of several Pas leaders who allegedly refused to assist Bersatu candidates throughout the campaign raised questions about the party's commitment to the coalition.
"In an election, every component party should give full commitment to the coalition's candidates. If there are statements refusing to help or supporting other sides, it gives the impression that internal sabotage is taking place," the source said.
The source also linked a series of resignations by several Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Supreme Leadership Council (MPT) members, including Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah, as factors that dented grassroots confidence in PN during the campaign.
Consequently, the source believed that PN Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar must take responsibility for the coalition's performance in the Johor state election.
"He needs to be responsible because the PN brand is now seen as messy. This situation affects supporters' confidence in the coalition," the source claimed.
Meanwhile, a survey by Sinar Harian at the Bersatu Main Operations Room found the atmosphere rather quiet without the presence of top party leaders. Bersatu Chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who was understood to be scheduled to attend to follow the vote-counting process, was also not seen at the operations room at the time of the observation.
