Johor: Barisan Nasional's (BN) decision to contest solo in the Johor state election has been endorsed by BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Johor BN chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the decision was made following feedback and views from component parties, and 26 UMNO divisions in a meeting held on May 16.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, all divisions, including component parties, agreed that Johor should contest solo in all seats. 'When I conveyed this feedback to the president, he gave permission for us to contest all 56 state legislative assembly seats, that is the reality,' he said at the launch of the Johor BN election machinery at EduCity Sports Complex today.

The incumbent Machap state assemblyman stated that the dissolution of the state legislative assembly on June 1, with nearly a year remaining before its term was due to end in April next year, was decided based on several factors. Onn Hafiz mentioned that among the considerations were the monsoon season expected between November this year and January next year, as well as festive seasons and the geopolitical instability in West Asia.

Onn Hafiz emphasized that Johor needs a strong and stable government to ensure the state continues to move forward. Earlier, the Johor BN election machinery for the state election was launched by Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister. The event was also attended by MIC president Tan Sri Dr S. A. Vigneswaran, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, and the People's Progressive Party president Datuk Dr J. Loga Bala Mohan.