Khairy: Johor polls can still proceed despite Omicron wave

PUTRAJAYA: The Johor state polls can still proceed as planned, although the nation is currently facing the Omicron wave, says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

"Our view is that because the effects of Omicron is not as serious as the Delta variant, the Johor state polls can still go ahead, but with the standard operating procedures (SOP) that will be announced soon," he said at a press conference on Monday (Feb 7).

He said that the Health Ministry had submitted its recommendations on the SOP for the polls to the National Security Council and Election Commission (EC) on Monday morning.

The EC is expected to announce the nomination date and polling date after its meeting on Wednesday (Feb 9).

On Jan 22, the Johor state assembly was dissolved, paving the way for state polls to be held within 60 days.

Rumors of a state election was rife following the death of Kempas Assemblyman Datuk Osman Sapian last month, leaving the Umno-led state government with only a one-seat majority in the Johor state assembly.

Currently, Barisan has 28 seats in the state assembly, comprising Umno (14 seats), MIC (two), Bersatu (11) and PAS (one), while Pakatan Harapan has 27 seats, namely DAP (14), PKR (seven) and Amanah (six).