JOHOR BARU: Barisan Nasional looks set to go into the much-speculated Johor Elections solo without cooperation with Pakatan Harapan.
Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who is also state Barisan chairman, said the collation would contest in all 56 seats in the upcoming state polls.
"I have listened to the voices and hopes of the Johor people, as well as the Barisan and Umno grassroots, about the upcoming state elections.
"After discussing with the party leadership, we have decided that Johor Barisan will contest in all 56 seats in the state," said Onn Hafiz, who is also state Mentri Besar, in a Facebook post on Saturday (May 16).
Speculation is rife that Johor could have snap polls by October, especially after heightened political activity during Umno's 80th anniversary celebrations at Istana Besar here on May 11.
However, no official announcement has been made yet.
After Umno's 80th anniversary celebrations, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Johor elections would only be held after receiving the blessing from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
The term for the current Johor State Assembly ends automatically on April 21, 2027.
The 15th state polls was held on March 12, 2022, with Barisan securing 40 of 56 seats, Pakatan Harapan won 12, Perikatan Nasional (three) and Muda (one).
Of the 40 Barisan seats, Umno holds 33 seats, MCA (four) and MIC (three).
