PAKATAN Harapan (PH) unveiled its first candidate for the upcoming Johor elections, with Sheikh Omar Ali set to defend his Paloh seat.

The announcement also marked the pact’s move to retake the southern state, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said.

“We are not going to win just in Paloh, but we will form a state government in Johor. Paloh is our first drum roll before we retake Johor,” he said during a brief press conference in Kluang today, streamed live on Facebook. 

The 37-year-old Sheikh Omar defeated MCA candidate Teoh Yap Kun and independent Shanmugan Munusamy with more than 8,000 votes to win the seat in the 2018 election. 

Sheikh Omar was a former PAS member before joining DAP in 2015. 

He was appointed a state executive councillor when PH helmed the government.

He was one of a handful of Malay candidates DAP nominated to contest in state seats in the last general election. 

Sheikh Omar said he felt strong in Paloh due to the relentless support from DAP voters and the public.  

He vowed to improve the economy in Johor, where youth will not need to work in Singapore to earn a decent salary. 

“If we can eradicate corruption and uphold transparency, we can improve our economy. Youth will no longer need to go to Singapore. 

“Our elderly parents will not need to work in Singapore to make ends meet. We can improve our livelihood by having a stable and clean government,” he said.

Johor is heading to the polls, with the Election Commission due to meet on Wednesday to set a date. 

Caretaker Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad said he wanted a clear mandate to govern the state, which Barisan Nasional had held in partnership with Perikatan Nasional by one seat.

Prior to Hasni’s administration, Johor was led by the late Osman Sapian, who was later replaced by Sahruddin Jamal.  

Due to the political turmoil in the state, Johor has had three different menteris besar in a span of two years. – February 4, 2022.