JOHOR BAHRU, July 12 - Machap assemblyman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has been sworn in as Johor menteri besar before Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail.
According to the Johor Royal Office in a Facebook post, Onn Hafiz, who is state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, received the appointment letter and took his oath of office during a ceremony at Istana Bukit Serene here today.
BN secured a fresh mandate in the 16th Johor election yesterday after winning 48 of the 56 state seats, giving the coalition a two-thirds majority.
Onn Hafiz, 48, retained the Machap seat with a majority of 15,375 votes in the polls, defeating Pakatan Harapan candidate Nur Hafiz Roslan.
Harapan, which contested all 56 seats, won eight, while Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Bersama Malaysia, MUDA, ASLI, Parti Sosialis Malaysia and Independent candidates lost their deposits.
Previously, Onn Hafiz was appointed Johor’s 19th menteri besar on March 15, 2022, after BN formed the state government by winning 40 seats in the 2022 state election.
Following the announcement today, the Johor government declared tomorrow a state holiday.
Onn Hafiz said the special holiday was declared to thank Johoreans for fulfilling their civic responsibilities in yesterday’s polls.
“I am pleased to announce that, with the approval of His Royal Highness Tunku Mahkota Ismail, the Regent of Johor, the Johor government has declared Monday, July 13, 2026, a special Johor state holiday,” he said in a Facebook statement today.
The Machap assemblyman said he would continue to perform duties entrusted to him with utmost commitment and loyalty, for Johor’s progress and its people’s prosperity.
“I recognise that every decision I make moving forward will affect the lives of millions of Johoreans.
“I therefore pray that God continues to guide my path, bestow wisdom in my decision-making, and grant me the strength to uphold justice, integrity and sincerity as I undertake this responsibility,” he said.
He also called on Johoreans to pray for God’s continued guidance in the state government’s efforts to serve the people.
