PAKATAN Harapan (PH) is still playing the role of the opposition in Johor as there is no discussion on the form of cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN) in the state.

Johor PH chairman Salahuddin Ayub, however, said the relationship between the two coalitions is good in the spirit of unity.

“The last time when I was in the state legislative assembly during the menteri besar’s winding-up of the 2023 Budget (last year), we were still seated in the opposition side,” he told reporters after attending a feast for PH personnel in the Pulai constituency in Johor Baru last night.

“There has not been any decision in Johor, but between us, we understand the underlying spirit of unity.

“The relationship is also very good, but we cannot determine the form of cooperation in the future.”

Salahuddin was commenting on the relationship and form of collaboration between PH and BN in Johor.

In the Johor elections held in March last year, BN won with a more than two-thirds majority when it secured 40 of the 56 seats contested.

PH won 11 seats, followed by Perikatan Nasional (3) and PKR and Muda (1 each).

Asked about the caucus involving 24 Johor BN and PH MPs, Salahuddin, who is also Pulai MP, said the matter is still being discussed.

“It is still under discussion. Opposition Leader Andrew Chen Kah Eng (who replaced Liew Chin Tong) is working on that,” he said.

On December 4 last year, it was reported that Liew, who was then opposition leader, when debating the 2023 Budget, suggested to Johor BN chairman Hasni Mohammad that a Johor MP caucus be formed involving 24 BN and PH MPs.

Hasni was then reported as saying that the establishment of the caucus would drive Johor to become a developed state.

On December 11, Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi reportedly said he hoped for the caucus to fight for the state’s priority projects involving allocations from the federal government. – Bernama, January 8, 2023.