JOHOR BARU, Aug 27 — A Pakatan Harapan (PH) leader reminded the public, especially voters in Johor’s upcoming twin by-elections, to not fall for issues linked to royalty, race and religion (3R) played up by the Opposition.

Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that there were irresponsible parties who deliberately instilled fear among voters by saying that the Malay community and Islam are now under threat.

"Political strategies using such sensitive narratives only apply in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis,” said Mohamad after opening of the Pulai PH operations room in Taman Perling here last night.

Present at the event were Johor DAP chairman, Liew Chin Tong, PKR’s Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim and Umno supreme council member Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, who is also the Pulai Umno division chief.

Mohamad, who is popularly known as Mat Sabu, said that such ethno-religious sentiments promoted by the Opposition could risk triggering another tragedy, similar to the May 13, 1969 incident.

On PH’s cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN) in the unity government, Mohamad explained that the working pact between the two former rivals should not be viewed as strange.

"A similar situation also happened in Indonesia recently when the political parties there had to work together after the winning parties failed to form a majority government.

"What is happening in Malaysia today is a bold step for us to create political and economic stability,” he said.

The by-election for Pulai and Simpang Jeram was called following the death of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub on July 23 due to a brain haemorrhage. He was 61.

He was the elected representative for both seats.

Salahuddin was also the Amanah deputy president and had served as the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister.

The Election Commission has set polling for both Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state seats by-elections on September 9 while early voting on September 5.