Johor state elections held because of Umno's "power hungry" court cluster, says Wan Saiful

SHAH ALAM - Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has lambasted the move by political rival Umno for initiating the Johor state elections amidst a worrying Covid-19 pandemic and flood situation in the southern state.

In a Facebook post today, Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan points to Umno's "court cluster" who is pushing for the state election as means to escape criminal conviction.

"Maybe the court cluster is getting more desperate and felt that the only way to escape from conviction is to dismantle the segregation of power. To dismantle the segregation of power that was built by Tan Sri Muhyiddin (Yassin), they are scrambling to gather power.

"I am not surprised if other states were to follow Johor. Such is the reality of desperate people that are hungry for power and afraid of being imprisoned,'' he said.

Wan Saiful further stated that Johor's political situation was stable and there was no need for a state election to be held.

However, Wan Saiful stated that Bersatu will hold a meeting to discuss the best strategy to face the state elections.

While Wan Saiful did not name any particular persons, Umno personalities such as Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi are facing numerous criminal charges with cases still ongoing in the courts.

Earlier today, the Johor State Assembly has been officially dissolved after weeks of speculation and calls from Umno leaders for fresh polls.

Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar shared a post, stating that he has signed the dissolution notice after granting an audience to Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.

An election must be held within 60 days after the dissolution, which means that it must take place latest by March 23.

Talks of an election grew stronger after the Barisan National-led (BN) government’s majority reduced to only one seat following the death of former Menteri Besar, Bersatu’s Kempas assemblyman Datuk Osman Sapian last month.