Johor bahru: More than 120 former members and leaders of the Pulai division of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) today declared their support for Pakatan Harapan (PH). The PH candidate for the Kempas state seat in the Johor polls, Muhammad Faezuddin Mohd Puad, stated that the group had earlier expressed their intention to support the coalition but chose to announce it publicly only today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the former Bersatu leaders joining PH include former Pulai Bersatu Srikandi Information chief Rafidah Ani, former Pulai Srikandi secretary Noriah Mat Daud, former Bukit Mewah Bersatu branch chief Mohd Suhimi Abdul Rahman, as well as several division and branch committee members. "They had expressed their intention earlier, but preparations for the announcement were made today. They have also informed the (Bersatu) leadership of their decision," Muhammad Faezuddin said during a press conference.
Muhammad Faezuddin, who is also the Johor Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) head, emphasized that PH's practice of helping people regardless of their political allegiances was the main reason for their support. He stated that when elected representatives or government officials, their assistance extends to everyone, transcending party lines, including Bersatu, UMNO, PKR, DAP, or any other party. "We want to cultivate a new political culture, not the old culture of helping only supporters or cronies of certain parties," he added.
Meanwhile, Rafidah expressed her disappointment with Bersatu's leadership, which she claimed failed to provide recognition and assistance to the people, prompting her allegiance shift to PH. She highlighted her challenges in securing support for initiatives aimed at helping those in need, such as single mothers, within her former party. "I was disappointed because Srikandi members were treated like second-class members and not appreciated," she said.
Mohd Suhimi echoed similar sentiments, citing dissatisfaction with his treatment and the party's inability to secure assistance for local residents as his reasons for leaving Bersatu. He hopes the PH candidate will focus on economic and healthcare improvements in Kempas amidst current political uncertainties. Having unofficially left Bersatu after the 2022 Johor state election, he now aims to strengthen PKR in Kempas by attracting more members, particularly from the Kempas People's Housing Project (PPR) area.
Muhammad Faezuddin faces a three-cornered contest for the Kempas state seat against candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama). The 16th Johor state election features 172 candidates contesting 56 state assembly seats, with 2,727,926 eligible voters set to decide the outcome.