THE Johor state elections were called purely from a state perspective and it was not done with the next general election or other state elections in mind, caretaker Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad told The Malaysian Insight.

“The decision for a general election will be by the party president (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) or the party. As far as Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) is concerned, we feel that what we are doing is solely from the state perspective,” the three-term Benut assemblyman said in an interview at his official residence on Sunday night.

Hasni was responding to suggestions that the snap Johor polls were being used as a precursor to the 15th general election.

The rumours were strengthened when Zahid and other top Umno leaders said an early general election should be held sometime this year before the five-year mandate ends in July 2023.

Yesterday, BN deputy chairman Mohamad Hasan said the coalition will push for an early general election no matter if it wins or loses in the Johor polls.

Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president, said BN wants an early general election not because it is greedy for power but because it wants a stable government.

But Hasni said the ultimate decision to call the next general election falls on Ismail Sabri Yaakob as he is the prime minister.

“I believe that the prime minister, who is from Umno, knows what he is doing, although he has different challenges,” he said.

“But I’m sure that he will make the right decision when it is needed. As much as we say that under the memorandum of understanding (with the opposition), the election is due sometime around the middle of this year.”

Hasni also believes Ismail is someone who has his own clear objectives and that he will do what is necessary.

Ismail, who is being backed by Perikatan Nasional, has said he prefers to hold the general election next year, although various senior Umno leaders, including Zahid, have voiced their preference for an early GE15.

BN has dropped GE14 baggage

Hasni, who is Johor BN chief, also believes Johor folk will vote with the state’s interests in mind on March 12.

“Many issues are circling around federal matters, but I’m glad that Johor people feel that what’s more important are state matters,” he said.

“I definitely believe that the voters can separate federal and state issues in this election.”

In the 2018 general election, BN lost Johor to Pakatan Harapan after the PKR-Amanah-DAP-Bersatu coalition bagged 36 of 56 state seats.

This was despite a January 2018 survey showing then menteri besar Khaled Nordin and his state government having a popularity of 58% and 68% respectively.

In the same poll, 55% of respondents said they were dissatisfied with the BN government led by Najib Razak over the goods and services tax and 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal.

But like other BN leaders, Hasni believes this election will be different for BN as the party has a long history and good performance record in the state.

“Umno and BN are not a mere presence in Johor. Umno was started in Johor and not just in any ordinary meeting rooms but under the endorsement of the ruler. The royalty is part of the formation of Umno,” he said.

“From then on, we have not looked back and Johor has continued to be in the lead.

“Our staunch supporters are here and BN has always been the backbone of the government and pushing transformation and agenda.”

He said although BN had lost GE14 in Johor, it did not mean it had lost its popularity or direction.

“I have the privilege of being in the youth, Parliament, an ordinary assemblyman, exco and now menteri besar,” he said.

“When I became menteri besar, I could see all the different perspectives and challenges and, most importantly, the strengths the state had.

“After several by-elections, it was just a question of having the chance to seize the opportunity to tell Johor voters that we have our uniqueness and that it is different.

“This is something for us to realise and we must never forget. If we can bring Johor back to its position, then we can win together.” – March 1, 2022.