Discontent brews in Johor over lack of PH representation in govt

Some say coalition should get fair share of seats if partnership with BN is to continue

- Lu Wei Hoong

There is growing discontent among grassroots members of Malaysia's federal ruling coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH) and its component, the Democratic Action Party (DAP), after their assistance in a recent Johor by-election win was not rewarded with state and local council seats in the southern state.

The Mahkota state by-election on Sept 28 was resoundingly won by Barisan Nasional (BN), an alliance led by Malay nationalist party Umno and a member of the unity government helmed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

While Johor has long been a BN stronghold, its unity government partners PH and DAP contributed significantly to the 79 per cent of votes it secured in Mahkota by canvassing non-Malay support.

Across the seven state governments in Peninsular Malaysia that are collectively controlled by the unity government, only Johor does not have PH representatives as state executives or local councillors.

The state administrations of Penang, Perak, Pahang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka include such representatives from both BN and PH.

This state of affairs, and growing discontent among Johor PH and DAP members, prompted an explanation from DAP secretary-general and senior PH leader Anthony Loke.

"DAP has never proposed the formation of a unity government in Johor. We accept that the current state government was formed prior to the previous general election," he told media in Johor Bahru on Oct 6.