JOHOR BARU: A Johor Pakatan Harapan leader has urged all leaders aligned with the state-level unity government to end the public bickering over the Mahkota state seat.

State PKR Youth vice-chief Muhammad Faezuddin Mohd Puad reminded everyone that the final decision on which party will contest the seat, which became vacant following the death of its assemblyman, rests with the PH and Barisan Nasional top leaderships.

He added that it is inappropriate for leaders in the unity government to make statements and engage in public arguments, especially through the media.

"Out of respect for the family of late Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, (the former Mahkota assemblyman), there should not be any open discussions on the seat's candidacy.

"It is better to leave Mahkota vacancy to the PH-BN leadership to (decide the matter subsequently to) preserve the harmony (of the political cooperations between the two coalitions).

"After the PH-BN leadership deliberates, we, as members and leaders, should respect whatever decision is made," he said in a statement today.

Faezuddin also reminded all parties of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia's decree for the need to preserve political stability in the country.

"Any actions or statements that could lead to division and disrupt the government's administration must be avoided," he said.

It was recently reported that Kluang Parti Amanah Negara has demanded that the party be allowed to contest in the upcoming Mahkota by-election.

Its chief Dr. Mohd Zuhan Mohd Zain, said the party had previously won the Mahkota seat in the 14th General Election (GE14) and also contested in the 2022 state election.

In response, Johor Umno Youth Chief Noor Azleen Ambros described Amanah's claims on Mahkota as greedy and opportunistic. 

Noor Azleen said Amanah was insensitive and had disregarded the late Mahkota incumbent's family members' feelings.

Amanah Youth was also reported to be adamant about pushing for the Mahkota seat candidacy, even if it meant facing a three-cornered fight in the upcoming by-election.

It was reported that Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain died on Aug 2 after she was admitted to the Enche' Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang, Johor, due to internal bleeding.

In the 15th Johor state election in 2022, Sharifah Azizah won Mahkota with a majority of 5,166 votes in a four-cornered fight at the state seat.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/08/1087951/stop-public-arguments-mahkota-seat-dispute-urges-johor-pkr-youth