AMANAH will not lose its influence in Johor even with only two parliamentary seats to contest in the upcoming general election, said its vice-president Salahuddin Ayub.

The Pakatan Harapan (PH) election director said that Amanah instead is expected to get more state seats.

“As a national leader we have to look at the bigger picture of PH. The other top leaders of Amanah and I have to take risks for what happens after the meeting (on seat negotiations).

“In Johor the numbers might be small but we would rather work to get the state seats.

“The sun will still shine bright tomorrow and we will get more state seats to continue to carry out our party’s work in the state,” he said during the PH convention in Shah Alam today.

Salahuddin was commenting on Johor Amanah leaders who had boycotted the convention because they were dissatisfied with the seats it has been allocated in Johor.

State party chairman Amiroulhuda Hasan said the decision to sit out the event was made after Amanah Johor found out that it had been allocated only two parliamentary seats when they had asked for five out of the 26 seats.

The Malaysian Insight understands that the PH presidential council yesterday reached a consensus on seat allocations to the component parties. In Johor, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia will be contesting 10 parliamentary seats, PKR eight, DAP six and Amanah two.

Salahuddin said he respected their decision to voice out their grouses and no action will be taken against them.

When asked if their actions had violated the consensus that was reached at the PH meeting, Salahuddin said that he has a different view on the matter.

“This issue is common. We are not new in politics. There will be not action taken.”

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu also said the protest was common.

“It is common to fight over seats,” he said.

Amanah secretary-general Anuar Tahir dismissed that there was any boycott despite only half of the Johor leaders attending the convention.

“It’s a rumour that they are not happy. Sometimes during discussions on seat allocations we cannot always get what we want.

“I know that they work hard and the central committee will meet with them. I will decide with Mat Sabu on the date to meet.

“This is not a big issue and can be solved,” he said.

Apart from the Amanah leaders in Johor, The Malaysian Insight also understands that other state leaders are unhappy about the seat allocations, Perak among them.

Perak Amanah chairman Asmuni Awi confirmed to The Malaysian Insight that he will not be attending the convention.

“I won’t be going because of the seat allocations but others from Amanah Perak will attend,” he said. – January 7, 2018.