Johor State Election Call Timely - Mohamed Khaled

KOTA TINGGI, June 2 (Bernama) -- UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has described the decision to hold the Johor state election as timely, saying there is no "perfect" timing to return the mandate to the people.

He said the scheduling of the election must take into account weather constraints as well as the lengthy festive season, apart from the state's consistently packed annual calendar.

"Johor has a narrow window left this year. By November, December and January, we will be facing the monsoon season and floods, particularly in areas such as Kota Tinggi.

"Then, February and March will coincide with the Hari Raya celebrations. In Johor, the festive season is usually quite prolonged," he said when asked to comment on the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly. 

Mohamed Khaled, who is also the Kota Tinggi MP, was speaking to reporters at the “Sembang Santai Bersama Pemandu Kereta Sewa dan Teksi Kota Tinggi” programme at the Kota Tinggi Bus and Taxi Terminal here today.

Mohamed Khaled, who is also Defence Minister, said that if the state government considered the current period to be the most suitable, then the people should be given the space to make their decision.

He said Barisan Nasional (BN) was ready for the polls, adding that its elected representatives had performed excellently and that UMNO had always worked to safeguard the welfare of the people.

Asked about the impact of the Johor state polls on the dynamics of the Unity Government at the federal level, Mohamed Khaled stressed that cooperation among the component parties remained strong and continued as usual.

He said all parties must accept the reality that the country's political landscape has changed and that the era of dominance by a single political party has come to an end.

In this regard, he said it was important for Malaysians to cultivate a mature political culture that embraces cooperation for the future of the country.

Yesterday, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly, paving the way for the state election to be held within 60 days.

-- BERNAMA