Johor: Johor Pakatan Harapan (PH) today announced that it will contest all 56 state constituency seats in the upcoming state election. State PH chairman Aminolhuda Hassan stated that the decision was made following Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi's declaration that their coalition would contest all state seats.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Aminolhuda explained the rationale behind the decision, emphasizing that Johor PH is responding to BN's clear stance. "The Johor Menteri Besar has stated that state BN will contest 56 seats, so Johor PH will also contest all 56 seats - they have made their position clear. Although some have questioned why we would contest against our own allies, it is because they made the declaration, so we (PH) are responding," he said. Aminolhuda was addressing Johor PH delegates at the PH Convention 2026, held at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre.

Aminolhuda, who also serves as the Johor Amanah chairman, expressed confidence in PH's ability to defeat BN again, referencing the coalition's success in the 14th General Election. "If we could win in 2018, it is not impossible for us to defeat them in the next election," remarked the Sri Gading Member of Parliament.

Yesterday, Onn Hafiz reportedly stated that BN's decision to contest all 56 state seats was influenced by the views of Johoreans and grassroots leaders from state UMNO and BN, considering the party's future direction ahead of the election. In the 2022 Johor polls, BN secured 40 state seats, PH won 12, Perikatan Nasional claimed three, and MUDA took one.

The PH Convention is viewed as an essential platform for determining the coalition's trajectory, including preparations for potential state elections in Johor and Melaka this year.