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JOHOR Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has downplayed speculation surrounding a potential early state election, stressing that his immediate priority is addressing the needs of the people rather than election timing.
The Machap state assemblyman noted that the current state administration’s term is set to continue until April 2027.
“I still have more than a year before the term matures. My focus is to continue serving the people. We do not work because of elections; we work because it is our responsibility and mandate from the people,” he told Bernama during an exclusive interview at the Johor Menteri Besar’s official residence in Saujana.
“So the priority is to continue to serve the people. As long as we are still the government of the day, that will always be our priority,” Onn Hafiz added.
The remarks come amid heightened speculation that the state election could be called sooner than expected, following political manoeuvring by several parties.
PKR and Amanah have reportedly identified 28 and 20 constituencies, respectively, for their candidates in the forthcoming polls.
Johor Pakatan Harapan has also set up four strategic committees, including Johor MADANI, a Seat Distribution Committee, an Issues and Communications Committee, and a Federal Ministers Coordination Committee, as it prepares for the next election.
Earlier, Johor Umno deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan emphasised that no official decisions had been made regarding party cooperation or seat allocation, and no formal negotiations had taken place at either the state or federal level.
In the 2022 state election, Barisan Nasional secured a two-thirds majority by winning 40 of the 56 seats contested. Pakatan Harapan won 12 seats, Perikatan Nasional three, and the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) one seat.
Onn Hafiz captured the Machap constituency with a majority of 6,543 votes, defeating candidates from PN, MUDA, and Parti Pejuang Tanah Air.
With political activity intensifying across the state, the Menteri Besar continues to emphasise governance and public service over election strategy, signalling a focus on long-term administration rather than immediate electoral calculations. - March 13, 2026
