As recently as May this year, it was reported that Shahrir had reiterated his decision from last year not to defend his parliamentary seat as he wanted to “pass the baton” to younger leaders.
However, he told reporters after an event in Johor Baru yesterday, that Pakatan Harapan’s move to make Johor their frontline state has spurred him to face them in an effort to help defend the state.
“Initially, I felt that the next election would be an easy one. However, with talk that a lot of opposition leaders are contesting in Johor, including Khalid Samad, how could I just step aside and not do all that I can to help?” Shahrir was quoted as saying, referring to the Shah Alam MP from Amanah who is his brother.
Alluding to the fact that Umno faces a major threat in Johor, Shahrir said PH’s confidence comes from former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin leading the charge.
Mahathir and Muhyiddin, who is a former Johor menteri besar, are chairman and president of PPBM, which joined the opposition pact in March this year.
“With both of them on their side, combined with Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang, they feel that they can break through in Johor,” Shahrir was quoted as saying by NST.
Shahrir, who is also Felda chairman, was speaking to reporters after a dialogue session entitled Perjuangan For All in Johor Baru, which was also attended by Umno information chief Annuar Musa and MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong.
Annuar said he took PH’s declaration of Johor as a frontline state in a positive light, as it meant they needed to focus there, while neglecting other states.
“For us, every state is a frontline state, because our focus is the whole country. “Moreover, they are only interested in playing politics and in ensuring they can win, not to serve the people who voted for them.
“People like Lim and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu have a history of moving from one state to another to find a seat that they could win,” Annuar was quoted as saying by NST.