ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has denied claims that party members in the state are revolving and seeking to join a new party formed by its former chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
State Bersatu chairman Mazlan Bujang said all 26 divisions in Johor were intact and estimated that only five per cent of the party members would switch allegiance to be with the former prime minister.
Mazlan said Johor Bersatu would continue to support the leadership of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin although Sri Gading Member of Parliament Shahruddin Mohd Salleh and Simpang Renggam Member of Parliament Maszlee Malik had taken an opposite stand.
"On Tun (Dr Mahathir) forming a party, we (Johor Bersatu) respect democracy and there is nothing in the constitution or law that prevents an individual from forming a party. This is a democratic practice in Malaysia.
"We understand that Tun also has his own followers. As a statesman who had served Malaysia for more than 22 years, he has his own supporters.
"Even if there is support, it would not be more than five per cent. In Johor (the situation) is under control. The 26 division chiefs are still with us," he said after handing out Letter of Appointment to members of the state constituency Special Coordination Committee at Dato 'Jaafar Muhammad Building, here, today.
Mazlan said state leaders would continue to take instructions from the party's national leadership, adding that he also has a responsibility to the 26 Johor divisions continued support in strengthening the party.
"We do not see clearly where this party (new party) would fit and with which coalition.
"If he is independent than he is not strong. Probably (new party) is leaning towards the existing Perikatan Nasional government or more to being a pro PH opposition.
"If he chooses to go at it alone as a party, it is unlikely that he will win an election, it will be quite tough.
On Saturday, a portal reported that the Johor Bersatu leadership was feeling the heat with revolt of party members in the state.
It reported that though the party was new and yet to be unnamed, a senior Bersatu state assemblyman had indicated that he was interested in joining the outfit.