THE Johor elections must not be taken lightly as it will have implications for the 15th general election, Pejuang chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.

In an open letter to Johor voters, the former prime minister said this is because the “court cluster” and “kleptocrats” in Umno intend to use the elections to shore up their positions ahead of the national polls.

As such, his party Pejuang is contesting in the state elections in a bid to stop this group from gaining traction, he added.

“The state polls was planned by the group known as the court cluster and kleptocrats in Umno. Their plan is to strengthen their position in the states as an early move to prepare for GE15.

“Even though they are not contesting in the Johor elections, voting for the candidates who stand on an Umno or Barisan Nasional (BN) ticket is akin to strengthening to court cluster and kleptocrats,” Dr Mahathir said.

He reminded Johor voters that in 2018, they had rejected Umno and BN because of then prime minister Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal.

“Umno and BN did not want to take action nor force Najib to resign. Instead, they continued to defend him.

“Now, they are still defending kleptocrats. That is why my party Pejuang is contesting in the Johor elections – to prevent these kleptocrats and court cluster from fulfilling their plans. 

“I urge Johor voters to join Pejuang in stopping them.”

Pejuang has said it will contest in 42 out of Johor’s 56 state seats.

The polls have been set for March 12, with the filing of nominations on February 26, and early voting on March 8.

The elections were called by the BN-led government, which had a one-seat majority in the legislative assembly before it was dissolved, but said it needed the polls for better political stability. – February 15, 2022.