JOHOR BARU: Speculation is rife that Johor could be headed for snap polls by October this year, amid heightened political activity surrounding Umno’s 80th anniversary celebrations at Istana Besar here.
A gathering of the party’s top leaders at the palace further fuelled talk that the current state administration is pushing for an early election. However, no official announcement has been made.
The 15th Johor election was held in March 2022, when Barisan Nasional secured 40 of the 56 seats, while Pakatan Harapan won 12, Perikatan Nasional won three and Muda took one.
During the state assembly sitting last week, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced a fresh round of aid and initiatives under Bantuan Kasih Johor amounting to about RM138mil.
This has led many to think it is a last push to reach out to voters before state polls are called.
The Umno supreme council is also said to have been granted an audience with Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim on Monday (May 11).
The council is scheduled to meet at the Johor Umno liaison committee office at 3pm today, a symbolic day as it is the party’s 80th anniversary.
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Johor Umno deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan said the meeting agenda includes the party’s preparation for the next state election.
Earlier this morning, the party’s top leadership was seen taking a group photo on the palace’s outdoor staircase to recreate the moment the party was founded at the same spot on May 11, 1946.
It was learnt that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, made a surprise appearance at the event after returning from a special visit to Moscow, Russia.
Among the vehicles seen entering the palace grounds were those of Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and other state leaders.
The celebration was also said to include a prayer session and lunch.
