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PAKATAN Harapan Johor has openly challenged Barisan Nasional’s decision to contest the next Johor state election independently, questioning whether the coalition is attempting to benefit politically from the achievements of the federal unity government while avoiding electoral cooperation during campaign season.
In a joint statement issued by Johor Amanah chairman Aminolhuda Hassan, Johor PKR chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Johor DAP chairman Teo Nie Ching, PH leaders said they respected BN Johor’s decision to field candidates in all 56 state constituencies, but stressed that the coalition must acknowledge that Johor’s current political stability and economic progress were not achieved alone.
“In a mature democracy, political parties are free to decide whether to cooperate or compete with any party.
“Therefore, PH Johor respects BN Johor’s decision to contest solo in all 56 state seats.
“PH Johor will hold further discussions with the central leadership on the next course of action,” the statement said.
The response came a day after Johor Menteri Besar and BN chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi confirmed that Barisan Nasional would contest every seat in the state assembly at the coming election following consultations with UMNO and BN grassroots leaders.
PH Johor, however, argued that many of the state’s recent achievements had only been made possible through close cooperation between the federal and state administrations under the unity government framework.
“Among the clear examples are efforts to resolve congestion at the Sultan Iskandar Building (CIQ) and the Johor Causeway, which involved cooperation between multiple federal ministries and the state government.
“In addition, the ETS rail service project to Johor Bahru, various strategic investments brought in through MITI and federal agencies, the development of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), as well as improvements to public facilities and state infrastructure, were all born from close cooperation between the state and federal governments,” the statement said.
PH leaders said voters were therefore justified in questioning whether BN was attempting to claim sole political credit for initiatives produced collectively under the unity government arrangement.
“People have the right to question whether BN merely wants to reap political benefits from the cooperation within the unity government at the federal level, while at the same time choosing to distance itself once election season arrives,” the statement added.
Despite the criticism, PH Johor said it appreciated BN Johor’s decision to openly declare its intention to contest independently well ahead of the election.
“Whatever the case, PH Johor takes note of the position openly stated by BN Johor.
“At the very least, BN Johor has made its position clear early about entering the election battlefield alone, unlike what happened recently in Negri Sembilan,” the statement said.
The exchange marks the clearest sign yet of mounting strain between BN and PH at state level, even as both coalitions continue to rely on one another to sustain the federal administration led by the unity government. - May 17, 2026
