Pakatan Harapan (PH) Johor has stressed that voter turnout will play a decisive role in determining the coalition’s chances of forming the state government in the upcoming Johor state election.
Johor DAP Vice-Chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali said a higher turnout could significantly strengthen PH’s position, while a low participation rate would make it more difficult for the coalition to secure enough seats. He urged voters to encourage family members, including children and grandchildren, to return and cast their ballots.
He made the remarks during a fundraising dinner event for the Bukit Permai and Senai state constituencies, held at a restaurant in Johor recently. Sheikh Umar, who also serves as PH Johor Communications Director, reiterated the importance of public support in enabling the coalition to form a new state administration.
According to him, a PH victory with sufficient seats would pave the way for a fresh state government capable of delivering greater development and progress for Johor. In a broader political context, voter engagement is often seen as a key factor in shaping electoral outcomes, particularly in closely contested races.
He also argued that the Johor state election should not have been called, claiming the previous state government already held a two-thirds majority with 40 assembly seats and enjoyed political stability. He further suggested that the dissolution of the state assembly had led to unnecessary expenditure of around RM90 million, which he said could have been saved if the election had been held alongside the general election.
Sheikh Umar further alleged that the decision to dissolve the assembly was driven by political considerations, including claims that certain parties were nostalgic for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. He also suggested that several other states may follow suit in calling state elections before the next general election.
