A FRESH political dispute has emerged within Johor’s governing landscape after the Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders criticised remarks by Johor Barisan Nasional chairman and Menteri Besar-designate hopeful Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who declared he would rather forgo the top state post than work alongside DAP in the state administration after the next Johor state election.
The comments prompted a sharp response from Johor DAP vice-chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, who accused Onn Hafiz of political hypocrisy and arrogance, pointing to the cooperation extended by DAP during previous election campaigns.
“Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s remarks are highly arrogant. When Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah was contesting the Mahkota by-election, he repeatedly appealed to DAP for assistance,” he said.
His criticism followed remarks made by Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi at the launch of Johor Barisan Nasional’s election machinery, where he stressed that BN Johor had never cooperated with DAP and insisted that he did not wish to govern alongside the party.
Sheikh Umar argued that responsible political leadership requires parties to look beyond ideological differences and place public welfare above partisan interests, particularly when stable and effective governance is at stake.
“The Unity Government at the federal level has demonstrated that parties from different backgrounds are capable of working together for the sake of national stability, economic recovery and the well-being of the people.
“Such cooperation does not mean that all parties must agree on every issue. Rather, it reflects the maturity to place the interests of the people above partisan interests,” Utusan Malaysia reported him saying.
He said the experience of the Federal Unity Government had demonstrated that parties with differing political traditions could work together constructively to safeguard national stability, support economic recovery and improve public well-being.
According to Sheikh Umar, political cooperation should not be judged by complete agreement on every issue but by a willingness to prioritise the interests of citizens over narrow party considerations.
Reaffirming DAP and Pakatan Harapan’s position in Johor, he said both remained committed to a politics of inclusion and constructive engagement rather than division.
“We respect the mandate of the people, democratic institutions, and the role of all parties in developing Johor into a progressive, inclusive and prosperous state.
“Therefore, discussions about Johor’s future should focus on policies, performance and what can be offered to the people, rather than rhetoric that risks widening divisions and undermining opportunities for cooperation in the interests of the state and the nation,” he said.
The exchange highlights growing tensions over potential post-election alignments in Johor, despite the cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan at the federal level, and signals that questions surrounding future state-level alliances may become a key issue ahead of the next state polls. - June 8, 2026
