JOHOR BARU: Barisan Nasional looks set to go into the Johor elections solo without any cooperation with Pakatan Harapan.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who is also state Barisan chairman, said they would contest in all 56 seats in the upcoming polls.
“I have listened to the voices and hopes of the Johor people as well as Barisan and Umno grassroots members. After discussions with the party leadership, we have decided that Johor Barisan will contest all 56 seats,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
He said Barisan could offer a stable, strong government that serves the rakyat.
Speculation has been rife that Johor could head for snap election in October amid heightened political activity surrounding Umno’s 80th anniversary celebrations at Istana Besar here.
The current term of the Johor state assembly ends automatically on April 21 next year.
Johor’s last state election took place on March 12, 2022, with Barisan securing 40 of the 56 seats, Pakatan Harapan 12, Perikatan Nasional three and Muda one.
Of Barisan’s 40 seats, Umno took 33, MCA four and MIC three.
Earlier this month, Onn Hafiz announced a fresh round of aid and initiatives under Bantuan Kasih Johor worth about RM138mil, further fuelling speculation that the state could be heading for early polls.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the party was fully supportive of Johor Barisan’s decision.
As a component party involved in discussions leading to the consensus, he said MCA fully backed Onn Hafiz’s leadership.
“He has proven himself capable of leading Johor Barisan effectively and administering the state with excellence,” he said.
Dr Wee said MCA has long been fully prepared both in terms of machinery readiness and in formulating effective strategies.
“This is to ensure Barisan continues to defend Johor with a major victory in this coming state election,” he added.
Ling Tian Soon, who is state MCA liaison committee deputy chairman, said Onn Hafiz’s announcement was a bold and forward-looking decision.
“MCA will work tirelessly to ensure Barisan continues to be given the mandate to govern the state,” he said, adding that under Onn Hafiz’s leadership, the state’s excellent economic performance was due to its political stability.
“Last year, Johor successfully created a new record for both the state and the country by attracting RM110bil in investments.”
Johor MIC chairman K. Raven Kumar said his party is committed to strengthening cooperation with the entire Barisan machinery to ensure the coalition’s victory in the state election.
“This decision is not about political ego, but about ensuring the stability of the state government, continuous development and a clear leadership direction for Johoreans,” he said.
