JOHOR BARU: Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s leadership has shown inclusivity of all races, say the state executive councillors who have hit back at his critics who twisted his words for political mileage ahead of the state polls.
State executive councillor Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said Onn Hafiz made his stand based on principles.
“His position reflected the sentiment of Johor Umno and Barisan Nasional,” said Mohd Hairi, who is the state youth, sports, entrepreneur development and cooperatives committee chairman.
Mohd Hairi, who is also an Umno supreme council member, said that Onn Hafiz had clearly distinguished the political situation at the federal level from that in Johor, noting that Barisan and DAP had never worked together in the state administration.
“The issue should not be misinterpreted as opposition to any race but rather a political stance taken in line with the views of the party’s grassroots members and supporters,” he said.
His comments were in reference to social commentator Tajuddin Rasdi’s remarks that Onn Hafiz had displayed a racist attitude for saying he would rather not become Mentri Besar than work with DAP if Barisan wins in the state polls.
State investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said reckless labelling and accusations will not move Johor forward.
“The rakyat want stability, development, better job opportunities, and a brighter future for the state.
“Onn Hafiz’s administration brought forward policies and initiatives that had benefited all Johoreans regardless of race,” he said.
He highlighted programmes such as Bantuan Kasih Johor, Jualan Kasih Johor and Bakul Makanan Kasih Johor as well as efforts to strengthen healthcare services and economic development.
Lee, who is the Johor MCA secretary, also said that a party, when it chooses not to cooperate with another party, does so due to a difference in political stance and not a racial issue.
He noted that the political temperature was rising ahead of the state election, with some parties attempting to exploit the matter for political gain.
State Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon (pic), also MCA Youth chief, questioned why Barisan faced strong criticism from Pakatan Harapan for announcing its intention to contest all seats in the upcoming polls.
“Barisan won the Johor election with a two-thirds majority and has every right to contest all 56 state seats to defend its mandate.
“Just because Barisan chooses not to cooperate with Pakatan, it is subjected to labelling politics and attacks aimed at advancing Pakatan’s political agenda,” he said.
He rejected claims that Barisan was being ungrateful to Pakatan, adding that Pakatan leaders kept harping on their support for the Barisan candidate during the Mahkota by-election in 2024.
“They often overlooked Barisan’s role in campaigning for Pakatan candidates during the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections in 2023. We did not keep bringing it up.
“Pakatan helped Barisan in Mahkota, while Barisan helped Pakatan in Pulai and Simpang Jeram.
“No one has betrayed anyone, and no one was being ungrateful,” he said.
State unity, culture and heritage committee chairman K. Raven Kumar said the state’s success achieved under Maju Johor was spearheaded by Onn Hafiz.
“Maju Johor is more than a political slogan; it is a comprehensive development blueprint that has already delivered tangible benefits to the people regardless of race through housing initiatives, economic assistance programmes, youth development efforts and community-centred policies,” he added.
The state MIC chairman called on all Johoreans, regardless of race, religion or background, to back Barisan with a decisive mandate so that Maju Johor could be completed by 2030 to continue benefiting future generations.
