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JOHOR Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi is expected to finalise the coalition's list of candidates for the Johor State Election (PRN) by the weekend, and the announcement is expected this Saturday.
Onn Hafiz said the list of potential candidates for the 16th Johor PRN is now almost 80 per cent complete, but the final line-up is still subject to change pending approval from the coalition's top leadership.
"The candidate selection process has entered its final stage, but no decision can be considered final until the official letter of appointment is issued.
"Everything can still change. Nothing is finalised until the day you receive the letter of appointment.
"There have been cases before when someone received a letter of intent but then withdrew it," he said in an interview at the Menteri Besar's official residence in Saujana, yesterday.
The Menteri Besar also said that the selection of candidates was not a decision made solely at the state level because all names had to be approved by the BN Chairman and UMNO President, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as well as the leadership of the coalition's component parties.
Onn Hafiz, who is also the Machap State Assemblyman (ADUN), said that the criteria for selecting BN candidates were more focused on service, community acceptance and local influence than on factors such as age.
"Candidates must be local, known in the area and accepted by the community. Most importantly, have a good service record and the potential to win.
"For me, whether someone is young or old is not the main factor. Candidates must be able to serve the people. There is no point in having young and energetic candidates if they fail to serve effectively," he said.
He said the final list of BN candidates is expected to involve a combination of old and new faces from various professional backgrounds, in line with efforts to present the strongest candidates in each area.
Young, first-time voters have the potential to influence the results
In another development, Onn Hafiz described the young and first-time voters as important segments that have the potential to influence the election results and the formation of the next state government.
He said voters aged under 40 represent between 20 and 40 per cent of Johor's population, thus making efforts to reach out to the young increasingly important.
"Most of our elected representatives have interacted a lot with young voters and understand their hopes and concerns," he said.
He also urged Johoreans living and working abroad, especially in Singapore, to return home to fulfil their democratic responsibilities on polling day.
He also called on party members who were not elected as candidates to remain loyal to BN and continue serving the people.
"The struggle is bigger than individuals. Those who were not elected must continue to be steadfast and put the people first," he said.
Johor will hold elections on July 11, with nomination day set for June 27, while early voting will take place on July 7. – June 18, 2026
