Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed allegations that Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi betrayed the Federal Unity Government by dissolving the Johor State Legislative Assembly ahead of schedule.
Speaking at a meet-and-greet programme with voters in Iskandar Puteri on Wednesday, Ahmad Zahid defended Onn Hafiz’s decision to lead BN into the Johor state election as a standalone coalition, insisting the move was aimed at safeguarding the existing BN-led state administration.
He said the Johor government was established under Barisan Nasional before the formation of the Federal Unity Government in Putrajaya, and therefore required a strong mandate to continue governing the state. The remarks come amid growing political debate over the relationship between state and federal alliances ahead of the Johor state polls.
“Datuk Onn Hafiz must be fully supported to continue defending the Barisan Nasional government in Johor. The Johor state government is a BN government, not a Unity Government like the one in Putrajaya,” Ahmad Zahid said.
Responding to criticism that Onn Hafiz had acted against the spirit of cooperation between BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) at the federal level, Ahmad Zahid rejected the accusation and maintained that the Johor Menteri Besar remained loyal to the coalition.
“That is why Datuk Onn Hafiz announced his intention to contest all seats in Johor. Although he has been labelled a traitor or accused of betraying the Unity Government, I stand by his decision. He has not betrayed anyone. He is simply defending the Barisan Nasional government in Johor,” he said.
He added that he knew Onn Hafiz well and insisted the Menteri Besar had never betrayed anyone, questioning why the decision to contest independently should be viewed as an act of disloyalty.
The Election Commission has set July 11 as polling day for the Johor state election. BN will contest all 56 state seats on its own despite remaining a component party of the Federal Unity Government alongside PH. The decision to go solo was championed by Onn Hafiz and later endorsed by Ahmad Zahid after taking into account grassroots feedback calling for BN to seek a fresh mandate independently in Johor.
