CNA – Barisan Nasional (BN) is looking to win at least a two-thirds majority in the upcoming Johor state election for political stability, said its chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid said this would mean winning at least 38 of the 56 seats that are being contested in the polls.
“This election is not to trouble the people, but United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and BNwant the people to give their mandate to us. This new mandate is important because we want a Johor government that is stable.
“We need to form a new government by winning at least 29 seats (to form a government).
“But stability is not enough at the minimum of just forming the government. It must not be less than 38 seats, so that we have a two-thirds majority,” he said during a speech at the Ayer Hitam district polling centre yesterday.
BN is made up of the UMNO, Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC). They will contest 37, 15, and four seats respectively.
During a press conference later yesterday, Ahmad Zahid claimed that the “winds of change” have started blowing in the state and that Barisan was confident of receiving support despite the multi-cornered fight in all seats.
“We are confident that if we put forth good candidates, then people will vote for them. The winds of change have blown in Johor, not just among the Malays, but Indians and also some Chinese urban voters, who are now willing to consider Barisan candidates,” he said.
During the Melaka state election in November last year, BN secured a two-thirds majority by winning 21 out of 28 state seats.
Johor’s state assembly was dissolved by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar on January 22.
The leader gave his consent for the dissolution after meeting with caretaker Chief Minister Hasni Mohammad.
In the 14th state election that was held simultaneously with the federal elections in May 2018, PH won 36 seats and BN won 19 seats, while Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) took one seat.
It was the first time in Malaysia’s history that Johor, considered a BN stronghold and bastion of UMNO, fell to the opposition.
