PETALING JAYA: Johor is at a critical stage of growth and needs political stability to ensure major projects and economic plans could be carried through without interruption, says caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
He urged voters not to turn the upcoming state election into an “experiment”, saying that disrupting the current administration could jeopardise the state’s development momentum.
“Five years is a long time. We cannot afford to waste that time. Investors want stability and certainty,” Onn Hafiz said during a joint interview with Chinese-language media.
He said he is seeking another term to complete the vision he has set out for Johor under the Maju Johor agenda, which includes the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, transport infrastructure upgrades, healthcare projects and broader economic transformation initiatives.
If given the mandate to form the next state government, Onn Hafiz said he would once again recommend caretaker state executive councillors Lee Ting Han and Ling Tian Soon for exco positions, citing their performance, commitment and work ethic.
“They have proven themselves through their work and dedication to the people,” he said.
Onn Hafiz also sought to reassure Chinese voters, saying support for Chinese education will continue regardless of election cycles.
State government records showed allocations totalling RM4.38mil were channelled to 219 Chinese primary schools between 2023 and 2026 for the upgrading of teachers’ rooms, while independent Chinese schools received RM7.28mil and Southern University College RM5.5mil from 2022 to 2026.
“These allocations are not election gimmicks. Tax revenue comes from all communities and should be returned to all communities.”
Addressing the controversy surrounding his earlier remarks that Barisan Nasional would not “sit at the same table” as DAP in the state government, Onn Hafiz said the issue had been blown out of proportion and wrongly portrayed as a racial matter.
He explained that the remark was a political metaphor referring to governance and cooperation within the state administration.
“DAP is a political party, not a race. This is not about race but about differing political approaches,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said his preference to work alongside MCA and MIC reflects the moderate approach adopted by Barisan’s component parties in Johor.
He maintained that welfare assistance and development programmes under the state government have been implemented without regard to race, benefiting all communities.
Onn Hafiz also said about 80% of Barisan’s candidates for the state election had been finalised.
Candidate selection, he said, is based on the person’s capability, commitment to serve and sincerity rather than age.
“Judge us based on our track record over the past four years and what we have delivered for Johor,” he said.
