KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has denied assisting in Perikatan Nasional's (PN) campaign for the Mahkota by-election in Johor on Sept 28.
Muda secretary-general Amir Hadi said that the party had not committed to supporting any party, stating that their focus remained on rebuilding the party and preparing for internal elections.
"There has been no discussion or commitment to assist any party in the by-election. Muda is open to holding discussions and negotiations with any party, but these decisions must be made at the central executive committee level," Amir said in a statement.
On Sept 12, Johor Muda announced the party's decision to sit out the Mahkota by-election, focusing instead on strengthening grassroots support in the state and advancing its rejuvenation agenda.
Earlier, PN election director Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali had claimed that both Muda and Pejuang were ready to join forces with PN in the by-election. Pejuang had confirmed its involvement in the PN campaign.
Pejuang's Information Chief Rafique Rashid Ali told The New Straits Times that their leaders and members had been actively supporting PN's candidate, Mohamad Haizan Jaafar.
"I can confirm what Azmin had stated. As per party president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir's earlier remarks, Pejuang will indeed support and assist in the campaign for the Mahkota state constituency on PN's behalf," Rafique said.
Mukhriz had previously announced that Pejuang would not field a candidate in the by-election, but would throw its support behind Haizan.