PH still eyeing Johor govt despite BN's perceived advantage - Suhaizan

JOHOR BAHRU - Pakatan Harapan (PH) is contesting the Johor state election to form the next state government, not just to deny BN a two-thirds majority, says Larkin candidate Suhaizan Kaiat.

He said PH's poor showing in the 2022 Johor state election was largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which significantly affected voter turnout.

"We need to look at the difference between the 2022 state election and the federal election held in the same year. During the state election, turnout was only around 50 per cent because it was still during the Covid period.

"However, in the general election later that year, voter turnout increased to around 70 per cent and PH won many more seats. That shows we have strong support from Johoreans when voters come out in larger numbers," he told Sinar Daily.

Suhaizan said the federal government's performance under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also given PH renewed momentum ahead of the state polls.

"We now have a good government at the federal level and the Prime Minister has made many efforts to help the people. This gives us a good chance to get a fresh mandate in Johor," he said.

The former Johor Amanah chairman said the coalition remains optimistic that voter sentiment has shifted since 2022 and that a higher turnout could work in PH's favour.

Asked whether BN's strong position and the popularity of caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi would make it difficult for PH to gain ground, Suhaizan said political dynamics in Johor have changed significantly in recent months.

"At one point, many people viewed Onn Hafiz as a very strong Menteri Besar. But after the dissolution of the state assembly, the image is slightly different," he said.

He pointed to recent controversies involving Johor Umno leaders and internal disagreements within the party as factors that may have affected public perception.

"There are indications that Umno has problems internally and the people can see that. The image is not the same as before," he added.

Suhaizan said PH's campaign would focus on convincing voters that Johor deserves a competitive political landscape and a government that can work closely with the federal administration to deliver development and reforms.

"We are contesting to win. We believe the people of Johor will evaluate both governments and make their choice," he said.