Rafizi’s strategy may hurt PH at Johor polls, says Chin Tong

PETALING JAYA: DAP strategic director Liew Chin Tong claims that Rafizi Ramli’s goal of securing 15% of the votes in every constituency for Bersama in the upcoming state election is intended to weaken Pakatan Harapan’s chances.

Liew said the former PKR deputy president understands electoral data well and would be aware that Bersama could prevent PH candidates from winning seats by splitting votes in the July 11 polls.

“He wants to eat into PH’s vote share to prove he can bring down PH candidates,” he said in a Sin Chew Daily report.

“If he succeeds, it will show that he has real political influence.”

Describing the Johor state election as a key precursor to future national polls, Liew urged voters to unite behind PH.

Former federal ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad took over Bersama in May.

The party is fielding 15 candidates for its maiden electoral outing in the Johor state election.

PH and Barisan Nasional are both fielding candidates in all 56 seats, while Perikatan Nasional will contest 33 seats through Bersatu (16), PAS (11), the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (five), and Pejuang (one).

Muda, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, and Parti Orang Asli Malaysia (Asli) will contest one seat each. Six independent candidates are also in the fray.