JOHOR POLLS | The southern states of Peninsular Malaysia have long eluded PAS. But in 2008, helped by progressive leaders, a moderate position and its then Pakatan Rakyat allies, they made an unprecedented breakthrough in Johor.

The party gained a foothold in the 2008 general election, winning the state seats of Maharani and Sungai Abong in northern Johor which it continued to retain in 2013.

But all those gains evaporated after...