Johor bahru: Barisan Nasional (BN) is set to announce its candidates for the 56 Johor State Legislative Assembly seats a week before the nomination day, as confirmed by its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. This strategic move aims to allow sufficient time to address any potential issues in specific areas.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Deputy Prime Minister, emphasized the importance of finalizing the candidate list swiftly. "I will finalize the list of BN candidates for the 56 State Legislative Assembly seats in the shortest possible time. We will announce the names of the candidates, God willing, a week before nomination day," he stated, underscoring the need to resolve matters in certain constituencies ahead of the elections.

Ahmad Zahid highlighted BN's commitment to the WALI concept-winnable, acceptable, and likeable-in selecting candidates. This approach will include a blend of seasoned politicians and fresh faces to bring new leadership talents to Johor. "This means that these three philosophies will continue to be maintained, and God willing, we will make a combination between existing office holders and new faces," he added.

As the Johor State Election approaches, Ahmad Zahid mentioned that BN is actively strengthening its existing campaign machinery and enlisting support from other states to bolster efforts in Johor. "We are on our way to strengthen the existing machinery and we are also mobilizing friends from other states to help Johor," he noted.

The decision to dissolve the Johor State Assembly was announced last Monday by Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, with the dissolution effective June 1, following the consent of the Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail. In the 2022 Johor state election, UMNO-Barisan Nasional secured 40 of the 56 contested seats, outpacing Pakatan Harapan with 12 seats, Perikatan Nasional with three, and MUDA with one.