Strategic planning: Mohamad (third from right) with (from his right, seated) Johor Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, Dr Wee, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and MIC vice-president Datuk M. Asojan, as well as Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (second right) and Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad during the state Barisan coordination meeting at the Johor Umno HQ.
JOHOR BARU: Barisan Nasional aims to make Johor its “fortress” once more, aiming to win 20 out of the 26 parliamentary seats in the 15th General Election (GE15), says its deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
He said the coalition’s priority now is to win big, with a high target set for Johor Barisan.
“I want Johor to win at least 20 parliamentary seats and be the main contributor in our bid to form a new Barisan government at the federal level.
“This is a very tall order and a heavy task for Johor, but we are hoping the state Barisan can deliver 20 out of 26 parliamentary seats,” he said when met before chairing the state Barisan coordination committee meeting at the state Umno headquarters here yesterday.
In the Johor state election in March, Barisan won 40 out of 56 state seats while Pakatan Harapan and Muda won 13 seats and Perikatan Nasional took three.
Mohamad, however, said that Barisan’s preparations in Johor for GE15 needed to be thorough as it would be different from the state election.
“During the state election, the Barisan family from all over the country came down to help, but this time around, they must take care and manage their areas on their own.
“That is why our level of preparedness needs to be improved. It needs to be stronger because there will be no friends from all over the country to help (during the general election),” he added.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who also attended the meeting, reminded Barisan members not to be complacent over its major victory in the Johor polls.
The state party chairman and Ayer Hitam MP said what was important is that Barisan do its best to continue to provide the best service to the people.
“Preparation is key and with our huge victory in the state election, we should not be complacent and must work harder to ensure Barisan will triumph once more in Johor,” he added.
Dr Wee said yesterday’s meeting was attended by members of Barisan component parties as well leaders of the 26 parliamentary constituencies in Johor.
“Various matters were discussed, especially the preparations for GE15. Our election machinery, which includes the three component parties, has already drawn up various plans for the election,” he added.
In GE14 in 2018, Barisan won eight parliamentary seats in Johor while Pakatan, which at that time comprised Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, DAP, PKR and Parti Amanah Negara, won 18.
In GE13 in 2013, Barisan won 21 seats while the Opposition took the remaining five.
