'One' not a favourite number in Johor, says MB in not ruling out snap state polls

JOHOR BARU: Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad (pic) did not deny that he might call for a snap state election soon with his administration currently holding on to a slim majority.

The Benut assemblyman, who is also state Umno chief, said that he needed to look at his administration's present position, where it held a one-seat majority in the state assembly.

“Everybody likes the number one but here in Johor, maybe we do not like it.

“There are some quarters who claim that there will be a state election soon and have given a date but as far as I remember, as the Mentri Besar, I have never made any official announcement,” he added.

Hasni said this after attending the Johor Entrepreneurs Award 2020 held at Persada International Convention Centre.

He was asked to address rumours that a state election would be held following the passing of former mentri besar Datuk Osman Sapian on Dec 21.

The Umno-led government in Johor has a simple majority, with 28 seats against Pakatan Harapan’s 27, while one seat was left vacant after the passing of Osman, who was Kempas assemblyman, on Dec 21.

Currently, the state government consists of Umno (14), MIC (two), PAS (one) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (11), while the Opposition comprises DAP (14), Amanah (six) and PKR (seven).