JOHOR BARU: Pakatan Harapan has hoped that their “arranged marriage” with Barisan Nasional will last, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The Amanah president said the marriage, which led to the formation of the unity government, was consented to by the “elders” after the 15th General Election after no party secured a clear majority to form the government.
“This has not happened before in previous general elections since 1955. In 2013, Barisan had a majority and it was Pakatan in 2018.
“Suddenly, Pakatan and Barisan, which have never dated before, were given consent to marry by our orang tua... in this case, by the Malay Rulers.
“Yes, we got to know each other late,but in some marriages, although born out of love with lavish wedding receptions of thousands of ringgit, also ended after two years.
“We pray for our marriage to last long, God willing,” the Kota Raja MP said in his ceramah in Taman Dahlia here late Tuesday (Sept 5).
His metaphor drew laughter from the mostly Malay crowd, which earlier also listened to the speeches from Pakatan’s Pulai candidate Suhaizan Kayat and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
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Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, said the Pakatan-Barisan “marriage” was accepted and blessed when it brought them victory in the Tioman by-election in December last year.
He said a similar formula could produce a victory for the unity government in the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections in Johor come polling day on Sept 9.
“We hope that Johor, like Melaka, Selangor, Perak, and Penang, can continue to develop and thrive without letting extremists and disunity elements enter the state,” he added.
The by-elections for the Pulai parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat are ongoing following the passing of domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who held the two seats.
The campaigning period for these by-elections will end at 11:59pm on Friday (Sept 8).