Onn Hafiz aims to live up to his family’s legacy

JOHOR BARU: The legacy of Umno founding father Datuk Onn Jaafar continues with his great-grandson Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi named Barisan Nasional candidate for the Layang-Layang state seat.

The 40-year-old is following in the footsteps of his late grandfather Tun Hussein Onn, Malaysia’s third prime minister, and his uncle, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

Onn Hafiz, who will be contesting for the first time, said he understands the huge expectations on him because of his lineage, but he is unfazed by the challenge.

“My late great-grandfather, my late grandfather and my uncle have always put emphasis on serving the people and I will uphold the tradition,” he said at the Johor Barisan candidate unveiling ceremony here yesterday.

Barisan’s Iskandar Puteri parliamentary candidate Datuk Jason Teoh Sew Hock, 49, said it would be tough contesting against DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, the incumbent MP.

Lim defeated previous Johor mentri besar Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Othman in GE13.

Another first-time candidate, Datuk S. Kanan, 54, who is gunning for the Skudai state seat, said Barisan’s family spirit would help the ruling coalition capture the seat from DAP.