KUALA PILAH: Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has rejected claims that Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) had betrayed the Malay Rulers, describing the accusations as slanderous.
Onn Hafiz, who is also the Johor chapter chairman, said allegations branding BN leaders in Negri Sembilan as traitors following the state’s political upheaval must be countered with facts, as loyalty to the monarchy had always been part of the coalition’s identity.
“Umno and BN’s DNA is not that of traitors, as critics claim. Umno was born in the Johor Palace, and we will never betray the royal institution.
“We want to win with the truth. That is why slander should and must be refuted,” he told BN election workers at a gathering for the Juasseh state constituency on Sunday (July 19).
Onn Hafiz also urged party machinery not to allow opponents to dominate public opinion with what he described as unfounded allegations, saying the coalition should learn from its defeat in the 2018 general election.
“We have gone through the experience of 2018 when many promises were made, but they did not turn out as the people had hoped.
“Our candidates and leaders, including Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri, must step forward to answer slander,” he said.
Drawing on BN’s victory in the 2022 Johor state election, Onn Hafiz said close cooperation between Umno, MCA and MIC was key to the coalition’s success.
“If Johor can do it, Negri Sembilan can do it too. The first formula is teamwork. Malays, Chinese, Indians and the Orang Asli must all move as one family.
“If we could help MIC win in Felda-majority areas, surely MIC and MCA can help us here. We must move as one team,” he said.
He also reminded elected Barisan representatives to continue serving constituents after the election, saying victories were built on the sacrifices of grassroots workers rather than candidates alone.
