06/07/2026

MONDAY | JULY 6, 2026

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PAS strategy boosts PH in Johor o Backing BN in non-contested seats while fighting Umno elsewhere swaying voters and driving support for coalition, says sec-gen Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Bukit Batu candidate lodges police report KULAI: Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for Bukit Batu state constituency, Arthur Chiong Sen Sern expressed regret over the actions of irresponsible parties who committed sabotage and treacherous acts against his campaign materials. He revealed that his party flag was thrown into a drain, while several campaign billboards were also torn down in the incident in Kampung Sri Paya which was reported on Saturday. Following this, Arthur said a police report had been lodged at the Air Bemban police station to enable the authorities to conduct an investigation. “A similar incident also occurred in Taman Putri, the billboard and flag were sabotaged.

PETALING JAYA: PAS’ decision to back Barisan Nasional (BN) in seats they are not contesting has helped boost Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) support in Johor, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said. The PH secretary-general said the coalition’s assessment at the halfway point of the Johor state election campaign showed a “very convincing” trend of support in priority seats. He said the trend was partly due to PH’s campaign strategy and political statements by its opponents. “Some of it is because of the party strategy we used, but at the same time, we also see that our opponents are helping to boost support for us.

“The most significant this week was when PAS, which leads Perikatan Nasional (PN), made an open announcement that it was only contesting 11 seats and in areas where it is not contesting, its support would be given to Barisan Nasional.” Saifuddin, who is also Home minister,

However, so far we do not know who the perpetrators were,” he said at a press conference at the Bukit Batu operations room here yesterday. provocation, Chiong stressed that the matter had not in the least discouraged

Despite facing such

Saifuddin said PH had graded priority seats in the campaign, adding that support levels differed from one constituency to another. He said this after meeting members of the Chinese community at a breakfast session with Maszlee (seated right) yesterday. – PIC COURTESY OF SAIFUDDIN NASUTION FACEBOOK PAGE

him from continuing to campaign to defend the seat. He meanwhile called on all parties to practise mature politics and campaign harmoniously without involving any elements of hostility or treachery. The Bukit Batu seat will witness a five-cornered contest involving Chiong (PH-PKR), R. Kumaran (BN MIC), M. Premanand (Muda), G. Tamili (Bersama) as well as Independent candidate, Kamaruzaman Ali. The Johor polls will witness a total of 172 candidates contesting for 56 state seats with polling day set for July 11, while early voting is on July 7. To get the latest news on Johor polls, visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor/. – Bernama

said this after meeting members of the Chinese community at a breakfast session with Puteri Wangsa candidate Dr Maszlee Malik yesterday. He said the move had drawn various reactions among Johor voters. Voters, he elaborated, were asking why PAS was urging support for its candidates in seats where it was contesting against Umno, but asking voters to back BN in seats where PAS was not contesting. “In the 11 seats where PAS is contesting against Umno, PAS’ campaign is ‘vote PAS.’ But in seats where PAS is not contesting, votes must be given to Barisan Nasional. “At the same time, there are 16 PN seats contested by Bersatu, but PAS says it does not support Bersatu. “So this message shows how PAS is

he added. Saifuddin said another boost for PH was the appearance of former Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi on the coalition’s platform in Felda Ulu Tebrau on Saturday. Puad had attended a PH programme in support of Maszlee Malik’s candidacy, saying he was present as a supporter of the Unity government and not as a representative of any party. Saifuddin said he had advised Puad to present only facts without drawing political conclusions, adding that the public could judge his decision for themselves.

of support.” PH’s

taking the people of Johor for granted. They can simply arrange things according to their political taste and that is not good.” PKR is contesting 20 seats, Amanah 19 and DAP 17 in the Johor state election. Saifuddin said PH had graded priority seats in the campaign, adding that support levels differed from one constituency to another. He said Puteri Wangsa, for example, was not the same as Johor Lama, while Larkin was not the same as Endau. “What I mean is that, in these areas, the first half of the campaign has shown a very convincing trend

manifesto, Saifuddin reaffimed, was easy to understand, reasonable, had clear timelines and contained pledges that could be achieved. He said the response received by PH so far had also been very encouraging, with the coalition attributing the convincing support leans on two factors. “First, we are beginning to see the impact of the campaign strategy arranged by PH. Second, we are also being helped by political statements from our opponents. “That is the assessment for the first half. There are still seven days left,”

TVET Commission to be finalised by year-end, says Zahid

Telcos urged to check rural connectivity issues first-hand: Communications minister

BATU PAHAT: Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has described telecommunications companies as still being lax in addressing internet coverage issues in rural areas despite having sufficient data to identify problem locations. He said he would summon all telecommunications companies together with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to seek explanations and expedite improvements in areas still facing internet connectivity issues. “I came here following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s directive for ministers to go to the ground and see the actual situation. If possible, the CEOs of telecommunications companies should join me so they can experience first-hand the difficulties faced by residents when communication services are frequently disrupted. “I see a certain attitude among the telcos. They are being complacent. We have the data and they also have the data, but I feel the data is not being fully utilised. “The people expect 5G, but the speed at which they resolve customers’ problems is perhaps at the level of 2G or EDGE,” he told reporters after inspecting telecommunications issues in Kampung Parit Jepon, Bukit Naning here

on Saturday. Fahmi said he had also brought Johor MCMC director Syed Isa Shekh Alsagoff to inspect the situation in the area following complaints from residents about poor telecommunications coverage. He said MCMC would issue a notice to telecommunications companies to immediately carry out network optimisation works, as there was already a telecommunications tower in Bukit Naning, but its signal still failed to cover Kampung Parit Jepon and the surrounding areas. Apart from optimising the existing network, Fahmi said plans to build a new telecommunications tower would also be considered to improve coverage in the Batu 14, Batu 15 and Batu 16 areas. He said the area’s terrain, as well as its vast oil palm and pineapple plantations, had also affected signal strength. Commenting on similar issues occurring in other rapidly developing areas, Fahmi said the matter would be raised during his meeting with telecommunications companies, as there were still areas not included in network upgrade plans under the relevant programme. – Bernama

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The establishment of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Commission, together with the tabling of the related legislation in Parliament, is expected to be finalised by the end of this year. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the commission would be set up to replace the National TVET Council as part of efforts to further strengthen the country’s TVET ecosystem. Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development minister, said extensive engagement sessions with various stakeholders were currently underway before the next steps could be taken. “Once these engagement sessions are completed, we will submit a Cabinet paper for approval. Although policy approval has already been obtained, approval to table the matter in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara is still being processed as it involves careful legal considerations.” He said this at a press conference after officiating the Johor TVET Mara Roadshow at the Educity Sports Complex here today. Also present were Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang and Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Zahid, who is also chairman of the National TVET Council, said the establishment of a dedicated commission is in line with the implementation model adopted by developed countries that have similar bodies. He said the commission’s role would not be limited to policy formulation but would also encompass the implementation and enforcement of the policies it sets. Meanwhile, commenting on the impact of Undi18 in Johor, Zahid said young voters play a critical role in shaping the state’s future leadership. He said voters aged 40 and below, including those aged 18, now make up 52% of the state’s electorate. In this regard, the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman expressed hope that the younger generation would work together with caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi in driving Johor’s development agenda. “We are confident that they (the young people) have a close affinity with Datuk Onn. We are once again presenting him as a young leader. “ Insya Allah , with the consent of the Palace, this will provide continuity in his leadership as the menteri besar of Johor.”– Bernama