KUALA TERENGGANU, June 2 — Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has submitted the coalition’s proposed candidates for the upcoming state election, with the list now being assessed, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

The Deputy Prime Minister and BN chairman said the lineup submitted by the Menteri Besar would be finalised after consultations with leaders of BN’s component parties.

“The candidates are still being assessed. At the same time, we must also respect the candidates put forward by BN’s other component parties,” he told reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Economic Convention (KEUB) 2026 at the Terengganu Equestrian Resort here.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, confirmed that Onn Hafiz would remain BN’s poster boy for the election.

He said BN is setting its sights on winning more than 40 seats in the state election, improving on its performance in the 2022 polls.

However, Ahmad Zahid stressed that no victory comes easily and that success would depend on hard work, sound strategy and a well-organised election machinery.

He expressed confidence that the various initiatives implemented by the Johor government under BN’s administration would resonate with voters and strengthen public support for the coalition.

Addressing perceptions surrounding BN’s relationship with Pakatan Harapan (PH) following the decision to contest separately, Ahmad Zahid emphasised that the Johor government was formed by BN before the establishment of the Unity Government at the federal level.

“The Johor government is a BN government, not a Unity Government. Johor BN has opened the door for friendly contests across all 56 state seats,” he said.

Yesterday, Onn Hafiz announced the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly after obtaining the consent of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, paving the way for a fresh state election.

He also confirmed that the coalition will field candidates in all 56 state constituencies.

In the 2022 Johor state election, BN secured a commanding victory by winning 40 of the 56 seats contested, while PH won 12 seats, Perikatan Nasional three and Muda one. — Bernama

JOHOR BAHRU, June 2 — The Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) Convention, scheduled for June 14, may be brought forward, according to its secretary Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman.

He said the possibility arises from recent political developments in the state, particularly following the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly yesterday.

“We may change the date to an earlier one, before June 14,” he said briefly when contacted by Bernama.

Yesterday, Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly after obtaining the consent of Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail, paving the way for a state election.

Previously, Onn Hafiz, who is also Johor BN chairman, was reported as saying that the convention would serve as a key platform to strengthen the coalition’s resolve and unity, as well as fine-tune the machinery’s preparations for the state election.

BN will contest all 56 state seats in the 16th Johor state election. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke fired back at Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi after the latter declared he would rather resign than cooperate with DAP in forming the next Johor state government.

The exchange erupted after Onn Hafiz declared during the launch of the party’s election machinery in EduCity, Iskandar Puteri earlier today that “I would rather not hold the position of Menteri Besar than have to sit at the same table with them. This is the spirit of Johor, Bangsa Johor”. 

“You don’t want to sit at the same table with DAP…… Great! Keep up your arrogance,” Loke responded on Facebook, in a post that has since gone viral.

“But your president sits next to the DAP secretary-general every week, right… just so you know… thank you!” he added, in a pointed reminder that at the federal level, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi sits alongside DAP leaders in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet.

The war of words underscores the widening gap between federal and state political realities in Johor. 

While DAP and Umno are coalition partners in the unity government, Onn Hafiz has made clear that the arrangement does not extend to Johor.

Onn Hafiz insisted his stance was not driven by racial sentiment, as some have alleged, but rooted in Johor’s unique multiracial identity under the Bangsa Johor concept. 

He also claimed BN Johor has never sat at the same table with DAP, though he acknowledged that a previous menteri besar from Bersatu had done so.

The Johor legislative assembly was dissolved on June 1, paving the way for a state election that must be held within 60 days.

This round, BN is seeking a stronger mandate than its 2022 state election performance and has pledged to contest all 56 seats.

Onn Hafiz, who is caretaker menteri besar, has pledged to continue the Bantuan Kasih Johor assistance scheme if BN retains power.

At the time of dissolution, the division in the legislative assembly had BN holding 40 seats, followed by Pakatan Harapan (12), Perikatan Nasional (three), and Muda (one).