JOHOR BARU: Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) deputy president Salahuddin Ayub's plan to give up Pulai parliamentary seat to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) shows that the party does not have the support of the people.
Pulai Member of Parliament, Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said this also revealed that PAN is lacking the machinery needed to back candidate at the area.
He said Salahudin, in the last general election, had been counting on Pas' support and machinery to get by.
"Now that he is no longer with Pas, he realised that he does not have the machinery needed. That is why he suddenly decided to contest in Tanjung Piai instead, which is supposed to be contested by PPBM," he said.
Nur Jazlan was commenting on a report by a news portal that Salahuddin had expressed his intention to let go of the Pulai seat to PPBM while not discounting the possibility of contesting in Tanjung Piai.
In an earlier seat negotiations, it has been decided that PAN would contest in Pulai while PPBM would be contesting in Tanjung Piai.
In the last general election, Nur Jazlan had defeated Salahuddin with a majority of 3,226 votes.
Nur Jazlan, who is also deputy home minister, said the "flip-flop" move also shows uncertainty within the Pakatan Harapan's ranks.
"Previously, they said they have finalised the seats allocation in Johor but now they made some changes. It seems they do not trust each other to support their candidates."
Nur Jazlan said even if PPBM were to contest in Pulai, they would not be able to garner the support needed.
"PPBM is an Umno splinter party. Where would they find the machinery to support their candidate?
"They mostly rely on social media and fake news, which will not succeed in swaying the voters. Voters in Pulai are mature and they know that PH is not sincere," said Nur Jazlan.
He said this after a visit to the EduXtra Education Exhibition organised by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) at Angsana Johor Baru Mall here.
Meanwhile, Nur Jazlan also questioned DAP for moving their candidates from one seat to another.
"Take Kluang Member of Parliament Liew Chin Tong, for example. He is said to be interested in contesting in Ayer Hitam because he wants to face MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong.
"Is that the real reason or is it a rouse because he has not been taking care of Kluang all this while and does not want his record to be exposed," said Nur Jazlan.