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).

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said new Malay-based political parties were welcome, provided they helped unite rather than further divide the community.

Speaking after the Majlis Zikir Peringatan Haul Asmaulhusna 2026 at Masjid Sultan Iskandar in Bandar Dato’ Onn, Johor Bahru, today, the Barisan Nasional chairman said any individual or political figure was free to establish a new party as long as it helped unite Malays rather than deepen existing divisions.

“We welcome any individual or figure, on the condition that we unite our thinking and do not continue to be divided among ourselves.

“Whatever platform is used, if in the end we are able to unite our actions around the national agenda, the Islamic agenda and the agenda of our community, insya-Allah.

“We will be able to lend our support because we have also come together through dialogues and discussions under the national collaboration initiative that we have undertaken,” he said, as reported by Berita Harian.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, said differences in opinion should be channelled into advancing national interests, Islamic causes and the welfare of future generations, without sidelining other races and religions in the country.

He added that Umno’s Rumah Bangsa initiative had succeeded in promoting national unity.

His remarks came a day after Reset chairman Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin announced that the movement would operate under a new party known as Parti Wawasan Negara as part of efforts to strengthen political cooperation across different blocs in the country.

Hamzah reportedly said the party had been established as a platform for unity and would work with PAS and other like-minded parties to build a more comprehensive political understanding.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for mature politics, responsible leadership and practical solutions to address current challenges in an increasingly complex global environment.

In conjunction with BN’s 52nd anniversary, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the coalition must continue to move forward with a spirit of renewal, grounded in experience and an openness to adapt to future demands.

“Believe me, the journey ahead will not always be easy. We will face various terrains, with the biggest challenge being the coming General Election,” he said in a Facebook post.

He urged all BN leaders, machinery and supporters to remain united, loyal to the struggle and attentive to the needs and sentiments of the people in order to secure a stronger mandate for the coalition.

Ahmad Zahid, who is Umno president, said BN was formed 52 years ago out of a spirit of understanding, moderation and cooperation among Malaysia’s diverse communities, to build the nation collectively.

Over the past five decades, he said, BN has gone through various phases of struggle, including an era of leading the nation’s growth as well as facing challenges that required resilience and self-reflection.

“However, one thing that has remained unchanged is our commitment to serve the people and uphold the country’s stability,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to all party members and machinery who continue to support BN’s struggle with dedication and loyalty. — Bernama

ISKANDAR PUTERI, June 4 — Johor MCA today dismissed as fake a purported state election candidates’ list circulating on social media that names party president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong as the candidate for the Skudai seat.

Johor MCA deputy chief Ling Tian Soon said the list is not an official party document and does not reflect any decision made by the party.

He said Johor MCA has never issued any candidate list or document related to the upcoming state election.

“In my capacity as the Johor MCA deputy chief, I strongly disclaim the authenticity of the list.

“I believe the fake list is an attempt by irresponsible parties to mislead the public ahead of the state polls,” he told reporters after the state-level World Nurses Day celebration at Sunway Hotel Big Box here today.

Ling, who is also MCA Youth chief, was responding to a widely circulated list purportedly issued by the party that named 15 MCA members as candidates for the upcoming Johor state election.

He cautioned the public against believing the document, describing it as an attempt to spread misinformation and create confusion ahead of the polls.

Ling, who is the incumbent Yong Peng assemblyman and Johor executive councillor, said such tactics are not unusual in the lead-up to elections.

“In politics, such an occurrence is considered normal when election season draws near as a means to create various speculations from fake documents,” he said, urging the public to rely only on information from official channels to avoid confusion.

A widely circulated fake list containing 15 MCA candidates and their respective areas. It includes party president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong for Skudai on June 4, 2026. — Picture from WhatsApp

Earlier, a purported Johor MCA state election candidates’ list bearing the letterhead of the party’s state liaison committee began circulating on social media.

The list named 15 MCA candidates and their respective constituencies, including Wee for the Skudai state seat and Ling to defend Yong Peng.

In a related development, Ling said MCA has already identified potential candidates for the upcoming state election and submitted their names to the Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership for consideration.

“The potential MCA candidates’ names will go through a screening process before the final decision is made,” he said.

Ling said MCA’s proposed allocation for the Johor election is based on the 15 seats the party contested in the 2022 state polls.

He added that the proposed lineup comprises a balanced mix of younger and more experienced leaders, as well as a healthy gender representation.

“Johor MCA will also leave the final number of seat allocations to the BN leadership in the spirit of the coalition’s camaraderie.

“However, we are confident that the proposed 15 seats that we previously contested will be maintained by the BN leadership,” he said.

TANJUNG MALIM, June 16 — The formation of new political parties in the country will not affect Barisan Nasional's (BN) prospects in the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, said BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

He said the coalition was well-prepared for the two state polls and remained fully focused on efforts in the areas where it will field candidates.

He said that while anyone is free to establish a new political party in a democracy, BN will continue to adhere to its strategies and preparations.

“Johor Umno and BN have prepared extensively, and I believe the formation of a new party will have no impact on BN, based on the efforts and preparations that have already been set in motion,” he said.

He said this when asked whether the emergence of Parti Wawasan Negara and Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) would pose a challenge to BN in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.

Earlier, Zambry launched the pilot programme for the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 at public universities before attending the launch of the book Nahas Gerik: UPSI Berduka at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) here today.

The Johor state poll is slated for July 11, while voters in Negeri Sembilan will cast their ballots on August 1. — Bernama 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — Barisan Nasional (BN) will have to depend on its own strength to win over voters, regardless of whether the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections are held separately or simultaneously, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said today.

Asked whether BN stood to gain any advantage from the staggered election schedule, Khaled said the coalition did not enjoy an edge over Pakatan Harapan (PH) or other political parties.

Instead, he said BN and its component parties would need to secure the people’s mandate through their own efforts.

“We do not depend on whether the elections are held together or not.

“As for why the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections are being held separately or otherwise, that is a question for the Election Commission (EC),” he told Utusan Malaysia today.

Khaled said Umno and BN had made preparations to face any election.

“When Johor dissolved its state assembly before this, there was no issue of holding the state election simultaneously with Negeri Sembilan.

“We ourselves did not know that Negeri Sembilan would dissolve and hold a state election,” he added.

Khaled, who is the defence minister, was speaking after officiating the Defence Ministry’s Program Jiwa Murni Madani at Sekolah Kebangsaan Johor Kampong in Kota Tinggi, Johor.

Election Commission chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun announced yesterday that Johor voters will head to the polls on July 11, with nomination day set for June 27 and early voting on July 7.

Negeri Sembilan will follow on August 1, with nominations scheduled for July 18 and early voting on July 28.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Penang is unlikely to hold its state election simultaneously with the next general election as the gap between the two electoral cycles has become too wide, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today.

According to Harian Metro, Chow said the state still has about two-and-a-half years remaining in its current term, making it difficult and unfair to dissolve the state assembly prematurely simply to align the state polls with parliamentary elections.

“As an example, Penang still has about two and a half years left before the end of its term.

“It would not be fair to dissolve the state assembly early just to synchronise the state election with Parliament, especially when considering the mandate given by voters to the state government,” he told reporters after officiating the opening of the Sunway Medical Centre Orthopaedic Centre in Seberang Jaya.

He said the current election calendar had been disrupted by previous electoral cycles, making it increasingly challenging to coordinate state and federal polls.

Chow was responding to a question on whether Penang would consider holding its next state election together with the general election to reduce costs amid rising living expenses.

The DAP national vice-chairman said, however, that he would respect any decision by other states that chose to dissolve their legislative assemblies early in order to align with parliamentary elections.

“Whatever the case, we will wait for the party’s decision,” he said.

At the 15th General Election, Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu did not hold their state elections concurrently.

The six states subsequently held their elections on August 12, 2023, with the governments elected then having served less than three years so far.

In Penang, the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance won 29 of the 40 state seats contested, while Perikatan Nasional secured 11 seats.

Separately, Chow said Penang would assist in the upcoming Johor state election if required, adding that party workers could be mobilised as is customary during election campaigns.

He said the party was also monitoring whether other states might call snap elections before deciding on any deployment of resources.

PUTRAJAYA, June 5 — Barisan Nasional (BN) is ready for the Negeri Sembilan state election and remains open to continuing its cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) to retain the unity government in the state, its chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

However, Ahmad Zahid said it was still too early to hold formal discussions on any electoral cooperation between the two coalitions.

“We are prepared for the Negeri Sembilan state election and, of course, remain very open to continuing the unity government in the state,” he told reporters after visiting the exhibition site for National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Day 2026 at Dataran Putrajaya here today.

The deputy prime minister’s remarks came a day after Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun announced the dissolution of the 36-seat State Legislative Assembly to pave the way for the 16th state election.

In the 2023 state election, PH and BN formed the Negeri Sembilan government after securing a combined 31 of the 36 seats contested.

PH won 17 seats, followed by BN with 14, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) secured five seats.

Negeri Sembilan became the second state to dissolve its legislative assembly for a fresh election after Johor, which dissolved its State Legislative Assembly on Monday. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — Umno will continue to support the Unity Government that was formed after the 15th General Election (GE15) until the next general election, in line with the decree of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.

Umno Secretary-General Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said this stance was decided during the Umno Supreme Council (MKT) meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the Umno President, at Menara Dato’ Onn here yesterday.

At the same time, he stated that the agreement to form the Unity Government at the Federal level does not bind any state government.

According to him, the Johor State Government was formed before the creation of the Federal-level Unity Government and did not involve parties from Pakatan Harapan (PH).

Asyraf Wajdi added that the decision by Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) to defend the state mandate is not a form of betrayal against the Federal Government, as claimed by certain parties.

“On the contrary, it is a legitimate, mature, and constitutional democratic practice that fully returns the mandate to the people,” he said.

He also mentioned that Umno remains open to any form of cooperation with any party for the sake of the country’s political stability and the well-being of the people; however, any cooperation must be built upon the principles of sincerity and trust. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA, June 7 — Caretaker Johor menteri besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has declared he would not remain in office if Barisan Nasional (BN) were to form a state government with DAP.

Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported that the statement was made during the launch of BN’s election machinery in Iskandar Puteri, where he rejected suggestions that support for BN would translate into backing for DAP, describing the claim as “slander”.

“I would rather not hold the position of menteri besar or sit at the same table with them. This is the spirit of Johor, the Bangsa Johor spirit,” he was quoted as saying.

He said that when the state government is reformed with the consent of the Sultan of Johor and the Regent of Johor, and BN is given the mandate to lead again, it would not at any time form a government with DAP.

According to the report, Onn Hafiz, who also chairs Johor BN, said he had been directed by party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to seek feedback from divisions before the coalition’s election plan was finalised. 

SEREMBAN, June 4 — The Negri Sembilan state assembly is expected to be dissolved tomorrow, clearing the way for snap elections as the state’s political impasse continues.

According to reporting by The Star, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun is scheduled to hold a press conference after Friday prayers, where he is widely expected to announce the dissolution. Talk of an early dissolution has circulated since the start of the week.

Sources told the newspaper that Pakatan Harapan leaders have tentatively agreed on their seat allocations:PKR is expected to contest 16 seats, DAP 11, and Amanah nine in the 36‑seat assembly.

Speculation intensified on Wednesday after Aminuddin met state ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir twice — once for a routine pre‑exco briefing and again later in the day. He also cancelled his weekly media briefing at the last minute and declined to speak to reporters.

Senior state leaders, including DAP’s Anthony Loke and Amanah’s Datuk MK Ibrahim Abd Rahman, are expected to join Aminuddin at Friday’s announcement.

The political situation has been unstable since late April, when 14 Barisan Nasional assemblymen from Umno withdrew support for Aminuddin’s administration, citing dissatisfaction over his handling of the state’s royal crisis. Although the state ruler later directed Aminuddin to continue his duties pending clarity, the unity government has remained strained.

On May 5, national leaders from Umno and Pakatan Harapan agreed to maintain the unity government framework in Negri Sembilan, but the 14 Umno assemblymen stood by their decision not to support Aminuddin.

Pakatan leaders have since said that dissolving the assembly is the most viable option to resolve the impasse.

The previous state election was held on Aug 12, 2023, with Pakatan winning 17 seats, Barisan 14 and Perikatan Nasional five.

ISKANDAR PUTERI, June 15 — Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan has confirmed he will not contest in the upcoming Johor state election, despite speculation linking him to several state seats.

Ahmad, who is also Deputy Works Minister, said he has no intention of contesting either the Benut or Pulai Sebatang state seat within the Pontian parliamentary seat.

“I have informed the party leadership of my decision and believe other candidates should be given the opportunity to contest for those seats,” he told reporters after a working visit to the Johor Public Works Department (JKR) here today.

However, the Pontian MP said he would continue to play an active role in helping BN and Umno secure victory in the state election.

The Election Commission has set July 11 as polling day for the 16th Johor state election, with nomination day on June 27 and early voting on July 7. — Bernama