M Santhananaban
The Johor state election on 11 July could prove to be a watershed moment.
Some unease has emerged over how shifting alliances might reshape the bigger coalitions.
Pas has long been a minor and somewhat abrasive presence in Johor. But the party appears to have offered an olive branch to Umno. That has given its prospects a modest boost.
Umno’s silence on this overture is telling.
The brand of conservative politics on show in the four Pas-run states – Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu – is hardly inspiring.
Could Johor see a repeat of the old fable, where a camel let into a tent slowly pushes its owner out? If Pas gains ground, Umno’s partners in Barisan Nasional risk being further marginalised to token roles. That would hardly be a fitting tribute to the idea of ‘bangsa Johor’.
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Still, in politics – and especially in a tight election – almost anything can happen.
Even if that outcome seems unlikely, we should trust that Johor’s 2.7 million registered voters will use their judgement wisely.
A good result would help lift Johor’s inter-ethnic harmony to the standard set by Sabah and Sarawak. The state should stay on its path of steady growth, peace, stability and unity.
Let us hope Johor’s future leaders follow in the footsteps of Onn Jaafar, Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman and Hussein Onn. It was Hussein who expelled Pas from BN in 1977.
For me, as someone born in Ipoh with an international outlook, Pakatan Harapan looks like a solid choice in Johor. Bersama offers a fresh alternative. And Perikatan Nasional feels like a risky bet, especially with prosperous Singapore just across the strait.
Dato’ M Santhananaban is a former Malaysian ambassador with 45 years of public sector experience.
The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.
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