Barisan Nasional (BN) Johor has identified about 80 per cent of its potential candidates for the upcoming Johor state election, with the list now undergoing further refinement ahead of the polls next month.
Johor BN chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the candidate list covering all 56 state seats is still not finalised and remains subject to change.
He stressed that all selections must go through the approval process involving BN chairman and UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as well as the leadership of component parties.
“Within this 80 per cent preliminary list, everything can still change. Nothing is cast in stone until you receive your watikah. There have been cases where watikah were issued but later withdrawn,” he said during a media interview at the Johor Menteri Besar’s official residence in Saujana.
Onn Hafiz, who is also the Machap assemblyman, said BN’s candidate selection process is based on multiple criteria including professional background, local acceptance, and electability.
He said candidates must be locally rooted, well-known within their constituencies, and accepted by the community, with emphasis placed on being “winnable” candidates rather than age considerations.
“The candidate must be able to serve the people. There is no point in having a young and energetic candidate who cannot deliver services effectively,” he said.
He also highlighted that voters under 40, including first-time voters, are a crucial segment in determining the outcome of the state election.
He said this group makes up between 20 to 40 per cent of Johor’s population, making youth engagement a key focus for BN’s campaign strategy.
Onn Hafiz also urged Johor voters, including those working in Singapore, to return home to fulfil their responsibilities on polling day.
At the same time, he advised party members who are not selected as candidates to remain committed to the party’s struggle and continue prioritising public service.
Johor will go to the polls on July 11, with nomination day set for June 27 and early voting scheduled for July 7.
