PAS has appointed former Umno veteran Annuar Musa as its election director for Johor, tasking the central committee member with spearheading the party's campaign ahead of the July 11 state election.
Johor PAS information chief Firdaus Jaffar said the state chapter welcomed the appointment, expressing confidence that Annuar's extensive experience and leadership would strengthen the party's preparations for the state polls.
"As the election draws nearer, the entire Johor PAS machinery is urged to further strengthen internal unity, enhance its operational efforts, and focus fully on election preparations," Firdaus said in a statement.
Annuar Musa, who was a prominent Umno figure before joining PAS in 2023, has held several high-profile government positions including Minister of Communications and Multimedia, Minister of Federal Territories, and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries. His political defection was seen as a significant boost to PAS's efforts to expand its influence beyond its traditional strongholds.
Firdaus also confirmed that Johor PAS had unanimously endorsed the party leadership's decision to end political cooperation with Bersatu at a special meeting held earlier this week. He said the state chapter believed the move would not affect PAS's efforts to pursue Muslim unity, which remained one of the party's core objectives.
"Therefore, Johor PAS will continue to support any form of political understanding or electoral pact decided by the central leadership in preparation for the 16th Johor state election," he said.
The Johor state legislative assembly was dissolved on June 1, paving the way for the state election scheduled for July 11. The Election Commission has confirmed the key dates, with nomination day and early voting also set.
PAS's decision to field Annuar Musa as its election director signals the party's serious ambitions in Johor, a state that has traditionally been a stronghold of Umno and Barisan Nasional. Annuar's deep knowledge of Malay politics and his extensive network within the community are expected to give PAS a strategic advantage in the campaign.
On June 8, PAS announced that it was ending all political ties with Bersatu and would explore forming a new political pact to face the upcoming state elections and the next general election, with the goal of "uniting the ummah." This decision has reshaped the political landscape and forced both parties to reassess their strategies for the Johor polls.
Political analysts have noted that PAS's move to go solo in Johor, under the leadership of a seasoned politician like Annuar Musa, could alter the dynamics of the election, particularly in Malay-majority constituencies where PAS has been gaining ground.
Sources: Free Malaysia Today
