Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, described such admonishments as the “norm” in politics.

Yesterday, Zahid, who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, ticked off Johor Amanah for politicking after the chapter revealed it was eyeing 20 state seats in the next elections.

Zahid said the elections would not be held anytime soon and Amanah should instead focus on serving the people.

He said this in response to Johor Amanah’s declaration that it plans to contest 12 to 20 seats in the next state election, citing a lack of direct negotiations between PH and BN in the state.

Today, Mohamad said it was the norm for political parties to talk about seats they were gunning for.

“Politicians will engage in politicking (when it comes to seat allocation) but, in the end, the decision will rest with the leadership,” he told reporters after officiating a conference here.

Earlier today, Zahid downplayed Johor Umno’s claim that it was prepared to “take on” Amanah in the next state election.

He said any official decision for Johor Umno to contest against Amanah would be announced by the party’s top leadership.

Zahid said that Johor Umno secretary Abdul Halim Sulaiman’s statement, made in response to Johor Amanah, was his “personal view”.