KOTA TINGGI: Umno leaders have defended the timing of the impending Johor election, saying that the Mentri Besar has the right to call for polls at a time when the state’s ruling party believes is appropriate.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said judging from Johor’s calendar of events, “no time is a good time” to call for polls, given the state’s packed annual calendar.
He said concerns over weather conditions and festive seasons made it difficult to identify more suitable periods for elections.
“Johor only has a few months left this year. By November, December and January, we face the monsoon and flood season, especially in areas such as Kota Tinggi.
“Then February and March coincide with Hari Raya celebrations. In Johor, the festive season is lengthy, so when exactly should the election be held?” he said after meeting with taxi drivers at the Kota Tinggi taxi and bus terminal.
He added that if the state government believed the timing was appropriate, the matter should ultimately be left to the people.
“As long as there is an election, the people will have the opportunity to decide,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled also expressed confidence in the performance of incumbent Barisan Nasional representatives, saying they had served their constituents well throughout their terms.
Umno information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the decision to dissolve the assembly was made following continued positive support from the people of Johor for the state government’s leadership under Barisan.
“I see a great deal of positive support from the people of Johor towards the state government’s leadership. Maybe these are among the factors,” she said.
She added that Barisan should consider fielding young and new faces, particularly in constituencies with a high percentage of young voters.
This, Azalina said, would not only have a positive impact on the coalition but would also create opportunities for a new generation of leaders to emerge as Umno’s future leadership through the state assembly.
