BARISAN Nasional Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has strongly denied that the coalition has betrayed its political allies by choosing to go solo in the upcoming Johor state election, maintaining that the decision is a legitimate defence of its existing state government.
Speaking at a community gathering with the Indian society in the Perling constituency, the Deputy Prime Minister sought to neutralise growing criticism from federal partners, clarifying that the current Johor administration predates the post-fifteenth general election cooperation seen in Kuala Lumpur.
The political offensive comes as Barisan Nasional fields its own candidates across all 56 state seats, testing the limits of its traditional machinery without the formal backing of its federal Pakatan Harapan counterparts.
“The Johor state government was led by Barisan Nasional government that was established before the existence of the Unity Government at the federal level,” Zahid stated.
“This demonstrates that if there are parties accusing us of attempting betrayal, do not worry. We are not betraying anyone. We are defending the Johor Government under the leadership of Barisan Nasional component parties,” he added.
Flanked by the coalition's candidate for Perling, Pannir Selvam, the United Malays National Organisation President used the platform to rally minority voters behind the incumbent Chief Minister, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, endorsing him for a consecutive term in office.
Zahid praised the young leader's performance over his tenure, framing a decisive Barisan Nasional victory as the only path toward continued economic stability and investor confidence in the southern state.
“He is a dedicated, capable young man who has administered the state of Johor for four years, the Deputy Prime Minister remarked. We must return the mandate for the upcoming term so that he can continue to govern the state of Johor, as he has done his absolute best,” he said.
The UMNO President issued an urgent directive to all component parties and affiliated Friends of Barisan Nasional groups to intensify their grassroots campaign, urging workers to knock on doors and maximise voter turnout.
Confidence remains high within the upper echelons of the coalition, with Zahid asserting that a coordinated, aggressive ground campaign would allow Barisan Nasional to surpass the dominant 40-seat majority it captured during the previous state polls in 2022.
Zahid insisted that a powerful, single-coalition state government provides the predictability required to secure massive foreign investments and fund comprehensive welfare initiatives for the population. - July 5, 2026
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