Johor polls: Sharon Teo is no parachute candidate, Amanah secretary-general clarifies

SHAH ALAM – Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) has stressed that Sharon Teo's candidacy was carefully decided by the party's National Leadership Committee after undergoing several screening processes and meetings.

Amanah secretary-general Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said Sharon Teo is not a parachute candidate, as she has been actively involved with the party since 2018.

He said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate under Amanah's quota had also served as Johor Amanah Assistant Secretary from 2021 to 2023 and was later appointed as Johor Amanah Young Women (Warda) chief in 2023.

"Amanah is confident in Sharon Teo's capabilities as the candidate for the Permas state seat. She is a Johor native and her selection reflects Amanah's commitment to elevating the voices of young people and women in Malaysia's political landscape.

"Therefore, the Pasir Gudang Amanah division is advised to close ranks and focus on assisting the party machinery to ensure PH's victory in the Permas state constituency," he said in a statement on June 24.

Earlier, several members of the Pasir Gudang Amanah Leadership Committee held a press conference to express their objection to Sharon Teo's nomination as the PH candidate (under Amanah's quota) for the N.43 Permas state seat in the 16th Johor State Election.

Muhammad Faiz added that victory in the Johor state election is not about securing a win for any individual candidate, but about ensuring Amanah contributes a seat to PH.

"This is to enable the formation of a new government in Johor," he said.