KOTA TINGGI: Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called on Malay voters to turn out in large numbers on polling day, saying low voter turnout among the community could determine the outcome of the Johor state election.
The former prime minister said Malay voters had historically recorded lower turnout in elections despite making up a significant portion of the country’s electorate.
“A large number of Malays do not pay enough attention to elections. Sometimes only about 55% turn up to vote. Where are the other 45%?”
“I hope everyone who is eligible to vote will come out in large numbers and support the Perikatan Nasional candidate,” he said during a ceramah held at Kampung Mawai Baru on Thursday (July 2) night.
Muhyiddin also appealed for support for Perikatan’s Panti candidate, Alias Rasman, saying he believed the candidate would serve the constituency effectively if elected.
“I am confident that Alias Rasman can be an effective representative for the people in this constituency,” he said.
He added tackling the rising cost of living would be among Perikatan’s top priorities if the coalition formed the next Johor government.
“One of the first issues we will address is the rising cost of living,” he said, adding that the government must ensure adequate supplies of essential goods, including vegetables, fish, meat and chicken, to help stabilise prices.
Muhyiddin also criticised the Johor government led by Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, alleging that many of the promises made during the last state election had yet to be fulfilled.
“Go back and check whether all the promises made have been fulfilled, or whether most of them remain unfulfilled to this day,” he said, expressing confidence that Perikatan could win enough seats to form the next Johor government.
On June 12, the Election Commission set July 11 as polling day for the Johor election, with early voting on July 7.
Johor last held a state election on March 12, 2022, when Barisan secured a two-thirds majority after winning 40 of the 56 seats.
Pakatan Harapan won 12 seats, Perikatan secured three seats, while Muda won one seat.
