Mahfuz said the party leadership found the comments by Johor Amanah deputy chairman Dzulkefly Ahmad to be appropriate as the current state executive council does not reflect the composition of the unity government, Berita Harian reported.

However, he expressed confidence that Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders were open to negotiations to ensure no clashes between the two parties at the polls.

“The conflict between Amanah and Umno (in Johor) is a normal matter. For me, as long as there is no final decision from negotiations, certain parties will naturally be claiming (seats as theirs to contest),” he was quoted as saying.

Dzulkefly was previously reported to have said the party would contest up to 20 of the 56 state seats that will be up for grabs in the next state election.

He said the state chapter had to make this stand due to BN’s refusal to form a unity government in Johor.

BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi rebuked Dzulkefly and told him to quit politicking over seats when the state polls would not be held anytime soon.