A mix of experienced politicians and new faces will contest 56 seats in the 16th Johor State Election after nomination day.
JOHOR BAHRU: The 16th Johor State Election saw political parties finalise a mix of experienced politicians and new faces to contest for the 56 seats following today’s nomination process.
Most parties relied heavily on incumbents and repeat candidates, reflecting confidence in their experience and grassroots influence.
Barisan Nasional (BN) nominated 36 UMNO, 16 MCA and 4 MIC candidates, comprising 36 returning candidates (including incumbents) and 20 new faces.
Johor BN chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who is also Johor Menteri Besar, will defend the Machap seat, and nine of the 10 former state executive council members from the 2022 State Election are retained as candidates.
Notable BN candidacies include Ledang Puteri UMNO leader Nadhirah Afiqah Abdull Rahim, making her debut in Serom, as Khairin-Nisa Ismail @ Md On, previously the Johor Women, Family and Community Development Committee Chairman, is not renominated for the seat.
Others include former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, who is returning to contest Pasir Raja (a seat he held from 2008–2018). Adham, who is Tenggara UMNO Division Chief, was the Pasir Raja Assemblyman for two terms from 2008 to 2018, and also the Tenggara Member of Parliament (MP) for two terms from 2004 to 2008 and 2018 to 2022.
Another is the surprise renomination of Alwiyah Talib to contest in Endau after her June 4 return to UMNO.
Also in the list is UMNO executive secretary Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan, who will defend the Benut seat.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) presents a blend of veterans and newcomers from PKR, DAP and Amanah.
Highlights include former Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik in Puteri Wangsa, Pulai MP Suhaizan Kaiat in Larkin, Batu Pahat MP Onn Abu Bakar in Senggarang, and Johor DAPSY chief Lee Wern Yiing in Johor Jaya.
Other nominees include Deputy Finance Minister’s Private Secretary Nor Zulaila Abd Ghani in Tiram, Mohamad Shafwan Ani, who is Kulai MPO’s special assistant, in Bukit Permai, and former Senai assemblyman Wong Bor Yang, who is seeking to reclaim the seat.
Perikatan Nasional (PN) will contest seats through PAS (11), Bersatu (16), Parti Rakyat India Malaysia (MIPP) (five) and Pejuang (1).
Former national and state leaders head several tickets, including former Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon in Senggarang and former Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal in Bukit Kepong.
Young contenders include 30-year-old Hasnol Hakim in Endau and Mohamad Anuar Hayan in Maharani, the only seat won by PAS in the 2022 Johor state election.
MIPP is contesting five seats for the first time — Bukit Permai, Paloh, Kota Iskandar, Pemanis and Permas, while Pejuang’s sole candidate, its Johor Information chief Suraya Sulaiman, will contest the Gambir state seat.
Smaller parties include the Malaysian Democratic Alliance Party (MUDA) (4 seats) with Rashifah Aljunied, 27, in Puteri Wangsa, previously held by its president, Amira Aisya, while Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and Parti Orang Asli Malaysia (Asli) each fielding a candidate — Amir Syafiq Ameer Soekre in Skudai and Jati Awang in Endau, respectively.
PH and BN have fielded candidates in all 56 seats, setting the stage for a direct contest between the two coalitions. The Election Commission has scheduled the polling day for July 11.
For the latest news on the 16th Johor State Election, please visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor/.
