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Gerakan has suspended its Johor chapter after the state wing unilaterally decided to withdraw from upcoming state elections without consulting or obtaining approval from party headquarters, according to secretary-general Wong Chia Zhen.
The son of former Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi has come to his father's defence, arguing that recent critical remarks were motivated by concern for the party's long-term viability rather than internal factional disputes.
Johor Barisan Nasional is fielding a mixed slate of debut candidates and seasoned party operatives for the state election, reflecting a deliberate strategy to rejuvenate while maintaining institutional continuity.
A Universiti Malaya analyst cautions that constant debate over the '3R' issues may exhaust Malay voters, diverting attention from pressing economic challenges like rising cost of living.
Perikatan Nasional's reintegration of Hamzah Zainudin is viewed by political observers as a calculated strategy to soften the coalition's public perception and broaden its electoral appeal beyond its Islamic-focused base.