Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has rubbished a viral list claiming to reveal Barisan Nasional’s candidates for the upcoming Johor state election, describing the document as completely false.
The Johor BN chairman issued a firm warning to the public after the purported candidate list began circulating widely across social media platforms and WhatsApp groups, sparking speculation ahead of the highly anticipated state polls.
According to Onn Hafiz, the list currently making the rounds has no connection to Barisan Nasional and should not be treated as an official source of information.
“I have taken note of a list of Barisan Nasional candidates that is currently being circulated on social media and WhatsApp. I would like to stress that the list is fake and untrue,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
The viral document allegedly contained the names of BN candidates expected to contest all 56 state assembly seats, including Onn Hafiz himself as the candidate for Machap.
With election fever beginning to build, Onn Hafiz cautioned that misinformation, rumours, provocations and fake news are likely to become increasingly common as political parties gear up for battle.
He urged the public to exercise caution and verify information before accepting it as fact, stressing the importance of relying on official channels for election-related announcements.
“Any official announcement regarding BN candidates will only be made through the party’s authorised communication platforms,” he said.
The Johor Menteri Besar also called on the people of Johor to embrace the principle of tabayyun, or fact-checking, before sharing information that could potentially mislead others.
He warned that the spread of unverified claims could create unnecessary confusion, disrupt social harmony and undermine the democratic process during a crucial election period.
At the same time, Onn Hafiz encouraged all political parties and supporters to conduct themselves responsibly, ethically and maturely throughout the election campaign.
The upcoming Johor state election was triggered following the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly on Monday, setting the stage for what is expected to be one of the country’s most closely watched political contests.
