'Rational' voters will return BN as Johor govt - Ismail Sabri

 

JOHOR POLLS | Former premier Ismail Sabri Yaakob said any “rational” voter will eventually decide to return the coalition to power in Johor.

Speaking to reporters in Bandar Baru Uda, Johor Bahru, while on the campaign trail for BN’s Larkin incumbent Hairi Shah last night, the former Umno vice-president weighed in with advice for first-time and youth voters who make up nearly half of the total electorate.

“Because (voters have) already been given the opportunity to assess the periods when BN and other parties governed (Johor).

“Rational voters will surely realise that there is a vast difference between us (BN) and the others when it comes to governance,” said the Bera MP who spent nearly an hour meeting diners at the local food trucks stop.

Ismail Sabri’s remarks appeared to reference Johor’s experience under the Bersatu-led Pakatan Harapan administration from 2018 to 2020, which ended BN’s decades-long grip on the state.

The government, led successively by the late Osman Sapian and Sahruddin Jamal, was brought down following the 2020 Sheraton Move before completing a full term.

Onn Hafiz Ghazi

BN subsequently returned to power under Hasni Mohammad and later secured a two-thirds majority in the 2022 state election under Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

“Although it is difficult to gauge young voters, I am confident they are capable of making sound judgments,” Ismail Sabri added, in reference to an increase in the total electorate from as young as 18 years old.

Priority to form govt

Asked whether BN is concerned over the coalition’s chances of defending all 40 incumbent seats, Ismail Sabri said his personal priority is to form a government with 29 out of 56 seats in the Johor assembly.

Several Umno insiders met on the campaign trail previously told Malaysiakini that failure to win more than 40 seats could still be seen as a “loss” for Onn Hafiz, who is Johor Umno chief.

“Although ideally our target should be bigger, my priority is for us to form the government. That is what matters.

“Whether we win more than 40 seats or not, we will strive for it, but the important thing is to form the government,” Ismail Sabri said.

“I am confident we can do it, provided our machinery works hard, there are no divisions, and there is no sabotage.

“If any of those happen, then no matter how hard we work, it will be difficult for us to succeed,” he further warned.

Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Larkin’s incumbent Hairi Shah (right)

In Larkin, Hairi is defending the seat against Harapan’s candidate, Pulai MP Suhaizan Kaiat, as well as Parti Bersama Malaysia newcomer Nursinah Abu.

Johor goes to the polls on July 11. - Mkini