Barisan Nasional (BN) Johor is expected to finalise its candidate list for the upcoming state election by the end of the week, with an official announcement likely to be made this Saturday.
Johor BN chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the selection process for the 16th Johor state election is now about 80 per cent completed, although the final lineup remains subject to approval from the coalition’s top leadership.
He said no decision can be considered final until official appointment letters, or watikah, are issued, stressing that last-minute changes are still possible.
“Everything can still change. Nothing is final until you receive the watikah. There have been cases where letters were issued but later withdrawn,” he said during an interview with local media at the Johor Menteri Besar’s official residence in Saujana.
Onn Hafiz, who is also Machap assemblyman, said candidate selection is not decided at the state level alone as all names must be endorsed by BN chairman and UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, along with other component party leadership.
He added that BN’s candidate criteria focus on service record, local acceptance, and grassroots influence rather than age.
“The candidate must be local, known in the constituency and accepted by the community. Most importantly, they must have a strong service record and be capable of winning,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said the final list is expected to include a mix of experienced and new faces from various professional backgrounds, in line with BN’s strategy to field strong candidates in every seat.
He also highlighted the growing importance of young and first-time voters, noting that they could play a decisive role in shaping the outcome of the election.
He said voters under 40 make up a significant portion of Johor’s electorate, making engagement with younger demographics increasingly crucial.
In addition, he urged Johor voters living and working outside the state, particularly in Singapore, to return home to fulfil their democratic responsibility on polling day.
He also called on party members who are not selected as candidates to remain loyal to BN and continue serving the people.
“The struggle is bigger than individuals. Those not chosen must remain committed and put the people first,” he said.
Johor is scheduled to go to the polls on July 11, with nomination day set for June 27 and early voting on July 7.
