KULAI: Caretaker Johor Mentri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said he has been the target of personal attacks from political opponents as this was their way of campaigning.
The Johor Barisan chairman said rival parties began hurling personal attacks at him since he announced that Barisan Nasional will contest solo at all 56 state seats in the state polls.
"The criticism began on May 16 after I announced the decision, which reflected the wishes of the Barisan grassroots.
"They called me all sorts of names. They said I am not tall enough, arrogant and conceited and even called me a small child.
"But this does not break our spirit at all," he said during a gathering with residents at Flat Cengal, Taman Putri in Kulai on Thursday (July 2).
Onn Hafiz, who is also the incumbent for the Machap state seat, said the personal attacks would not dampen Barisan's resolve to continue its campaign ahead of the July 11 polling day.
Umno supreme council member Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who was also at the event, said the reception Barisan received on the ground indicated that Johoreans were generally satisfied with Onn Hafiz's leadership.
"The attacks from rival parties, especially our political opponents, show they have no real issues to raise and have instead resorted to personal attacks.
"They criticised him and even questioned the timing of the state assembly's dissolution, even though it was dissolved after four years and two months. Many state assemblies have been dissolved after four years," he said.
Reezal Merican said the public response during the campaign was an early indication that Johoreans would back Barisan to ensure the continuity of the state's Maju Johor agenda.
