13/07/2026

MONDAY | JULY 13, 2026

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Onn Hafiz takes helmagain o Machap assemblyman sworn in as Johor menteri besar for second term; announces ‘special holiday’ today as token of appreciation to Johoreans

Anwar congratulates Barisan on win The Johor state election concluded on July 11 with BN securing 48 of the 56 seats in the state assembly. PH’s representation fell from 12 seats to eight and DAP lost four seats – Jementah, Tangkak and Johor Jaya to MCA, and Perling to MIC. KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim congratulated Barisan Nasional (BN) on retaining its mandate to form the state government. In a Facebook post, Anwar said the trust given to BN by Johor voters comes with a responsibility that must be discharged with integrity and in the best interests of the state and its people. “The election and democratic process have come to an end. It is now time for us to move forward, prioritise service and our responsibility to the people, and work together to build a more prosperous and progressive Johor.” Anwar, who chairs Pakatan Harapan (PH), thanked Johor voters for fulfilling their democratic duty and expressed appreciation to election workers and party machinery for their efforts throughout the campaign. He said all PH candidates – whether elected or not – have been asked to continue serving their constituents and championing their concerns. He added that the federal government remains committed to strengthening Johor’s development agenda and improving residents’ wellbeing. Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN)’s decisive win in the state election came as no surprise given the coalition’s long-standing dominance in Johor, says political observer Martin Vengadesan. Vengadesan, a former news editor now serving as a strategic communications consultant to the Communications Ministry, said the result reflected BN’s deeply entrenched grassroots machinery rather than any dramatic shift in Johor’s political landscape. “In Johor the BN machinery is entrenched and they have won every state election with the exception of 2018,“ he told theSun, noting that BN ran a deliberately low-key campaign built around its ground network – a strategy that paid off. He said Pakatan Harapan (PH) should treat the loss as a wake-up call, given how quickly Malaysia’s political landscape continues to shift. “PH will have to go back to the drawing board and come up with more detailed data-driven policies and strategies to win the hearts and minds of the people. They have to do some soul searching about the efficiency of their machinery, the quality of messaging and the ability to appeal to the voters with fresh ideas and fresh faces.” He noted that despite leading the federal government as the largest coalition since 2022, PH still lacks strong representation in roughly half the country’s state assemblies. “So there is still room to learn and improve,“ he said, urging the coalition to lean into its strengths – multiracialism, progressive reform, economic development and equitable wealth distribution – while rebuilding its grassroots presence. With Negeri Sembilan heading to the polls in three weeks, followed by Malacca and Sarawak later this year and probably a general election next year, Vengadesan said PH has a narrow window to regroup. “PH needs to build on their core principles and strengthen their grassroots network.” PH urged to refine strategy after losses Ű BY T.C KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

JOHOR BAHRU: Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi yesterday took the oath of office as Johor menteri besar for a second consecutive term after Barisan Nasional’s (BN) emphatic victory in the 16th Johor state election, securing a fresh mandate to lead the state for the next five years. The 46-year-old took his oath of office before the Johor regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim during a ceremony at Istana Bukit Serene at 4pm. Onn Hafiz arrived at the palace at 3.41pm in a black Audi before taking the oath and later left the premises at 4.50pm after the ceremony. Earlier in the day, His Majesty King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim granted an audience to BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at Istana Pasir Pelangi. The meeting, which lasted nearly an hour, was also attended by Onn Hafiz who serves as Johor BN chairman. Onn Hafiz’s reappointment follows BN’s resounding performance in Saturday’s state election where the coalition won 48 of the 56 seats contested – surpassing the 40 seats it secured in the 2022 election to retain its two thirds majority and strengthen its grip on the state administration. The result also cements Onn Hafiz’s standing within Johor politics after leading BN into one of its strongest electoral performances in the state in recent years. He also retained the Machap state seat

for consenting to his appointment, and to the regent for his trust and confidence in allowing him to continue carrying the responsibility. Onn Hafiz was first appointed Johor’s 19th menteri besar on March 15, 2022, following BN’s victory in the previous state election. He succeeded Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad and took his oath of office before the then Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar who is now the king. His second appointment ensures continuity in the state administration as the new government prepares to form the state executive council and begin its new five-year term with one of the strongest electoral mandates in Johor’s recent history.

with a commanding majority of more than 15,000 votes, extending his tenure as the assemblyman for the constituency since 2022. In a statement, Onn Hafiz pledged to continue leading Johor with integrity and fairness. He also announced that today would be declared a state special holiday as a token of appreciation to Johoreans who fulfilled their civic duty in the Johor state election. He said the declaration was made with the consent of the regent. He also called on Johoreans to continue supporting the state administration, pledging that every decision would be made with sincerity, integrity and in the best interest of the people. He expressed his gratitude to His Majesty

DETERMINED VOTER ... Lia Isabella Iskandar, 20, who has cerebral palsy, exercising her right to vote at SJK (C) Kulai Besar during the Saturday, assisted by her caregiver Salihaton Awang. – BERNAMAPIC Johor state election on

MCA gains open door to reconnect with Chinese voters

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

DAP sentiment, with more voters choosing parties they believed had a realistic chance of forming the government. “MCA is riding anti-DAP sentiment. I think it gained support vis-a-vis Bersama and Muda because voters want to vote for those they know have a chance to form a government. So MCA is that bridge as part of BN in this anti-DAP scenario.” Pacific Research Centre principal adviser Oh Ei Sun said the result also reflected growing dissatisfaction among many of DAP’s traditional supporters. “I think it’s a general nationwide disillusionment and disappointment of DAP’s traditional supporters. They perceive DAP as no longer championing the cause of reforms and various forms of equality. They don’t see DAP as effective and are punishing DAP, just as they did in Sabah,” he said, adding that the party was considered “lucky” for not suffering a total defeat.

alternatives available.” However, he cautioned MCA against reading too much into the result. “MCA should not overread the result. A gain in one electoral contest does not by itself establish a broad or permanent realignment of Chinese support. “It gives MCA an opening but the party must now demonstrate a clear political identity, sustained constituency work and a credible reason for voters to return. This is an opportunity, not yet a revival.” International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst Dr Syaza Shukri said the more significant development was DAP’s declining ability to rely on its traditional support base. “I was quite surprised by MCA’s gains. I’m not sure if MCA is truly gaining momentum, but no doubt DAP is losing support. “DAP really cannot depend on its so-called base. It’s no longer guaranteed.” She said MCA had benefited from growing anti

PETALING JAYA: MCA’s improved showing in the polls has given the party an opportunity to reconnect with Chinese voters, but it must build on the momentum if it hopes to regain lasting support, says a political observer. Former political secretary Ivanpal Singh Grewal said MCA’s stronger performance suggested Chinese voters were becoming more willing to judge parties based on performance and local circumstances rather than longstanding political loyalties. “MCA’s improved standing is significant because it suggests that Chinese voters are no longer moving in lockstep with DAP. “There may be a growing willingness to assess parties and candidates according to performance, local circumstances and the