Johor likely to stay a BN ‘fixed deposit’

Rallying support: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi addressing Johor Barisan Nasional members during the launch of the coalition’s machinery in Pasir Gudang last week

JOHOR BARU: Johor has long been regarded as a Barisan Nasional “fixed deposit” state when it comes to general elections.

This time around, the Opposition is hoping for the winds of change to blow and is again trumpeting the prospect of winning the state.

Pakatan Harapan is aiming to win enough state seats to gain a simple majority in the 56-member state assembly, where it currently has 16. It is also eyeing 10 more parliamentary seats to add to its current six.

The Opposition is working hard to move some of its “heavyweights” from Selangor and Penang to Johor.

However, political observers are quick to note that it would be a big disaster for Pakatan to send all the big guns into Johor only for them to be defeated

Pakatan is expected to hold a big gathering in Pasir Gudang on Friday to drum up support.

 

Mohamed Khaled: His record of bringing economic progress will be hard to beat.

However, it will not be an easy task to bring down the Barisan state government which has been able to bring in economic progress, foreign direct investment, tourism revenue and jobs.

The Mentri Besar has set up a KPI system for state excos and government-linked companies and has drawn up plans based on the needs of the people through the Suara Hati Johor project.

With few local issues to be exploited against the state government under Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, it will be a daunting task for the Opposition to take over Johor.

The best scenario is that the Opposition wins up to five more state seats while the worst case sees it losing as many as that.

In the event Barisan is returned to power in Johor, it will be a challenge to retain its two-thirds majority in the state assembly.

As for the parliamentary seats, the hot seats for both Barisan and Pakatan will be the ones won with slim majorities of fewer than 2,000 votes in the 2013 polls.

Among them are Pasir Gudang, Tebrau, Segamat, Labis, Muar and Ledang, all under Barisan, and Batu Pahat, held by PKR.

Observers note that the current Chinese sentiment in Johor is somewhat cooler than in 2013.

Liew: Will be taking on MCA deputy president Dr Wee in Ayer Hitam.