A total of 32 out of 56 state seats in the Johor State Election are expected to see three-cornered fights involving Barisan Nasional (BN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN).
BN and PH will contest all 56 seats separately, while PN will distribute its 32 contested seats among Bersatu, PAS and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP).
Based on candidate lists announced by PN components, Bersatu will contest 16 seats, PAS 11 seats, and MIPP five seats.
The 16 constituencies expected to see BN, PH and Bersatu contests include Kemelah, Bukit Kepong, Bukit Pasir, Serom, Bukit Naning, Semarang, Parit Raja, Senggarang, Rengit, Layang-Layang, Tenggaroh, Panti, Sedili, Johor Lama, Penawar and Stulang.
Meanwhile, 11 seats will see BN, PH and PAS in direct competition, namely Jementah, Tenang, Simpang Jeram, Maharani, Sungai Balang, Semerah, Sri Medan, Kahang, Endau, Pasir Raja and Tiram.
Another five constituencies involving BN, PH and MIPP are Pemanis, Paloh, Permas, Kota Iskandar and Bukit Permai.
Several high-profile seats are expected to attract attention, including Puteri Wangsa, Endau, Machap and Bukit Kepong, where key political figures and incumbents will face off.
Bukit Kepong will see former Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik (PH) contesting against BN and PN candidates, while Machap will feature a defence of the seat by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Endau is also in focus as former incumbent Alwiyah Talib returns to contest under UMNO after leaving Bersatu earlier this month.
Separately, the newly formed party Bersama will contest 15 seats, including Bukit Naning, Mahkota, Tiram, Puteri Wangsa, Johor Jaya, Permas, Larkin, Stulang, Perling, Kempas, Skudai, Kota Iskandar, Bukit Permai, Bukit Batu and Senai.
The Johor state assembly was dissolved on June 1 following consent from the Johor Regent, Tunku Mahkota Ismail. Nomination day is set for tomorrow, followed by early voting on July 7 and polling day on July 11.
