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POLITICAL tensions in Johor continue to simmer as youth wings from component parties of the federal government trade barbs over early seat negotiations ahead of the next election cycle.
Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) Johor, the youth wing of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), has denied accusations of being overly eager or “greedy” in staking early claims to parliamentary and state seats.
In a firm rebuttal, AMK Johor Chief Faezuddin Puad said such strategic groundwork is “normal for any political party”, including UMNO itself.
“It would be dishonest to say UMNO does not plan ahead which seats it wants to contest,” he said via a statement on Facebook on Friday.
“This is an essential part of any political organisation’s roadmap towards forming a stable government and eventually delivering policies that benefit the people.”
His comments come in response to criticism by UMNO Youth Johor Chief Noor Azleen Ambros, who earlier accused PKR and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) of being “hasty” and “overzealous” in announcing electoral ambitions, at a time when the public is grappling with real-world struggles.
“When the people are weighed down by daily challenges, political leaders should be channelling their energy and ideas towards solving these issues wisely and compassionately,” said Noor Azleen.
He went on to argue that political manoeuvring over seats shows a lack of empathy and risks alienating the electorate.
“The rakyat are watching closely. What they want is effective governance—not constant seat politicking and a scramble for power,” he said, adding that “UMNO Johor will not be drawn into this frantic political game”.
However, AMK Johor remains unapologetic. Faezuddin maintains that early planning allows for negotiations among allies to begin sooner and ensures electoral preparations are not left to the eleventh hour.
“Political stability ultimately benefits the people. Unless, of course, there are parties who refuse to negotiate, hoard power and are reluctant to share. That, to me, is the real definition of greed,” he said.
The exchange follows public remarks by Amanah Johor Vice-Chairman Dr Zuhan Zain, who suggested UMNO should clarify whether it intends to continue cooperating with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in Johor or risk facing three-cornered fights in the next state election.
According to Dr Zuhan, Amanah branches have already submitted motions to consider going solo, a reflection of growing unease within the coalition over the seat-sharing equation.
Adding to the mix, Johor PKR Chair Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa recently announced the party’s intention to contest three parliamentary seats and four state seats in Johor—a statement that appears to have triggered some of the pushback from their current allies.
As coalition dynamics continue to evolve, both UMNO and PH components are facing the delicate challenge of balancing public service with political positioning. What remains clear is that behind the scenes, electoral calculations are already in motion—even if not all parties agree on the timing. - August 29, 2025