JOHOR Barisan Nasional chief Mohamed Khaled Nordin is contesting in a federal as well as a state seat so that Johor can have better representation at federal level, the caretaker menteri besar told a ceramah tonight.

This would also ensure that the “same team” is leading Johor and representing the state in Parliament, said Khaled who is contesting in the Pasir Gudang parliamentary seat and the Permas state seat.

“If I win in both seats, I can lead Johor and also represent it at federal level.”

Khaled, who became Johor menteri besar in 2013, was speaking to about 100 people at Kampung Baru Pentong in Pasir Gudang.

Since leading the state, the former federal minister has used the slogan “Team Johor for a new decade” in his administration.

Johor has long been synonymous with Umno and Barisan Nasional, as it is the state where the ruling Malay party was founded.

A poll conducted by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research in January and released in February found that 51% of 1,007 Johoreans surveyed said they were open to giving other parties a chance to administer the state.

Most respondents said they were satisfied with Khaled as menteri besar but were upset at the rising cost of living. – April 28, 2018.