Johor BN considering solo move in state election

Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) is considering contesting the Johor state election on its own as it is confident of winning two-thirds of the 56 contested seats.

Johor BN chairman Hasni Mohammad said the decision to contest without the cooperation of any other party outside the coalition, however, was subject to approval from the BN Supreme Council.

“At the state level, we have suggested contesting solo, BN on its own. We will contest all 56 seats but it is not up to us as party cooperation matters for the state election are determined by the central leadership,” he said at a press conference after an event yesterday.

On whether the dissolution of the state assembly was made unilaterally without discussions among the parties that formed the existing state government, Hasni said there was no requirement to obtain the consent of other parties.

“The matter does not arise as it is in accordance with Article 23(2) and (3) of the Johor state constitution 1895 and received consent from the sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim.

“The state executive council only announced the head of government’s suggestion or requested to the sultan (to consider dissolving the state legislative assembly). There is no need for the council’s approval,” he said.

Johor Bersatu information chief Mohd Solihan Badri was earlier reported to have said that the decision to dissolve the Johor state assembly was made unilaterally and had sidelined Bersatu and PAS.

The previous government led by BN had 28 state seats through Umno (14 seats), MIC (two), Bersatu (11) and PAS (one) while Pakatan Harapan held 27 seats through DAP (14), PKR (seven), and Amanah (six).

On Johor being the first election for 18-year-old voters, Hasni, who is also the state Umno liaison committee chairman, said they did not underestimate the voting power of the youth in the state election and would have a strategy to obtain their support.

He said the state election would witness over 150,000 voters aged 18 to 20 voting for the first time.