Bersatu members backing PH candidate for Sri Medan seat

MUAR: A group of Bandar Sri Medan Bersatu members has publicly announced its support for Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for the Sri Medan seat in the July 11 Johor state election.

One of the members, Rosli Moin Ahmad, said he made the decision after considering the views of several former village heads and being persuaded by the federal government’s stability.

Rosli, a former Bandar Sri Medan Bersatu branch chief, stressed that his decision was not driven by disappointment with Perikatan Nasional.

“Besides, the PN candidate here is from PAS, not Bersatu,” he told FMT.

“When my supporters asked me who we should back, I told them we should support the ruling coalition.

“I am still a Bersatu member and have not left the party. I will simply vote for and support the PH candidate.”

The incumbent, Zulkurnain Kamisan of Barisan Nasional, will defend the Sri Medan seat against PH’s Hishamuddin @ Misrin Ishak and PN’s Ahmad Rosdi Bahari.

Zulkurnain retained the seat with a 6,274-vote majority in the last election.

Dismissing claims that he had been pressured or paid to support Hishamuddin, Rosli said his decision was made in the best interests of the residents.

“I was not forced or paid by anyone. I am acting in the interests of my supporters. It is up to the party if it wants to take any action against me,” he said.

According to him, the Bandar Sri Medan Bersatu branch has about 130 members.

Bersatu is contesting 16 of the 33 seats that PN has filed nominations for, with PAS fielding the other 11 candidates.

While they remain coalition allies, the two parties are not assisting each other in their election campaigns.