BN claims Johor after winning election with just 55% turnout

Barisan Nasional (BN) scored yet another resounding victory at the state level today, winning 40 of the 56 seats in the Johor legislative assembly in an election which saw a voter turnout of just under 55%.

Its closest competitors Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional won 11 and three seats respectively while Muda and PKR won one each.

The Election Commission said 1,426,573 or 54.92% of voters had gone to cast their ballots.

This is BN’s second victory in a state election after Melaka, and seen as part of efforts by convicted former prime minister Najib Razak and his ex-deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to consolidate Umno’s position ahead of the 15th general election.

In a press conference at the BN office in Johor, chairman Zahid said a request would be made for Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s consent to the coalition’s candidate for menteri besar.

He also named former menteri besar Hasni Mohamad as BN’s candidate for the post once more.

He said the formation of a new government would be the start of measures to protect the welfare of the people, beginning with the tabling of the state budget.

“We see this victory as a gift to the entire state of Johor which has returned the mandate to BN,” he said.