One-on-One Contests In Johor Polls Won't Affect Unity Govt, Says Azalina

By Nur Fadhliana Shaari

KOTA TINGGI, June 27 (Bernama) -- Tight one-on-one contests between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates in several state constituencies in the Johor state election will not affect the Unity Government at the federal level, according to UMNO Information Chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

Azalina, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), said Malaysia’s governance structure clearly separates federal and state administrations, meaning political differences at the state level do not disrupt federal cooperation or administration.

“Federal is federal, state is state. We are a federation. In a federation, states are part of it…there is no issue,” she told Bernama after the Johor Anti-Bullying Literacy Programme at the Westin Desaru Convention Centre today.

She said even in states governed by the opposition, cooperation with the federal government continues smoothly, particularly in development and public welfare matters.

Azalina, who is also Pengerang MP, stressed that voters should prioritise candidates who can deliver effective services rather than political sentiment.

“But what matters most to me is voting for service. If people vote based on wanting to create opposition for its own sake, the people will suffer.

“The theme is ‘Maju Johor’. I hope voters will think carefully…don’t burn the house to kill a mosquito,” she added.

BN and PH candidates will face one-on-one contests in 14 seats in the Johor state election.

Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan (PH) secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said one-on-one contests do not automatically favour any party, as electoral outcomes depend heavily on local factors.

He said constituency dynamics such as demographics, local issues, candidate quality and responsiveness to voter concerns would ultimately determine the results.

“Elections in Malaysia are very much constituency-based. A one-on-one contest does not automatically give any party an advantage,” he said.

The nomination process for the Johor polls concluded today with 172 candidates confirmed to contest all 56 state seats, officially kicking off the campaign period ahead of polling day on July 11.

According to Election Commission data, a total of 2,727,926 voters are registered for the election, including ordinary voters, military personnel and spouses, and police personnel and spouses.

For the latest updates on the Johor state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor/.

-- BERNAMA