JOHOR BAHRU - Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu expressed confidence that Pakatan Harapan (PH) is capable of retaining the parliamentary seat of Pulai and the state seat of Simpang Jeram in the upcoming by-elections on Sept 9.
He said the political atmosphere in Johor was different and voters here were not overly pro or obsessed with Perikatan Nasional (PN) or Pas.
"I believe PH will be able to win, but the question of increasing or decreasing the majority of votes should be put aside for now.
"What's important is that PH and Barisan Nasional (BN) need to strengthen their machinery together to achieve victory.
"Regarding the PN wave that has been hyped, I have no comment, that's their matter.
"In Johor, we don't see the people being too pro or obsessed with PN or Pas.
"That's why PH believes that Malay voters will remain loyal to PH.
"The perception that Malay votes will shift in this by-election is only an opposition perspective," he said.
He said this during a press conference after the introduction of PH candidates for the Pulai parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat, held in Johor Bahru today.
Also present were three Amanah deputy presidents Adly Zahari, Datuk Mahfuz Omar and Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa as well as Johor Amanah chairman Aminolhuda Hassan.
Johor DAP secretary Andrew Chen Kah Eng, PKR deputy chairman Jimmy Puah Wee Tse and Pulau Division Umno chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, who is also a member of the Umno Supreme Council were also present.
Last Saturday, former Johor State Assembly Speaker Suhaizan Kaiat was announced as the PH candidate for the Pulai seat in the by-election and Bakri Amanah deputy chief Nazri Abdul Rahman was announced as the PH candidate for the Simpang Jeram state seat.
Meanwhile, Mohamad, who is also PH deputy chairman said PH's coalition partners DAP and PKR, have provided cooperation under the spirit of the unity government to mobilise their machinery.
"BN, a new partner of PH, has also committed to assisting PH's machinery to ensure that we can retain victory in these two seats," he said.