THE Johor menteri besar and members of the state assembly have been reminded not to mix official government matters with the political campaign for the general election (GE). 

State Secretary Azmi Rohani said the matter had been conveyed at the recent Johor exco meeting and that all parties should respect the ruling. 

“Previously, the parliamentary and state elections were held simultaneously, but this time, the state government is still functioning as usual. So, what needs to be taken into account by the state government and its officials is to distinguish between matters involving campaign and government affairs. 

“This means that any party matter involving campaigns should not be mixed up with official affairs of the state government,” he told reporters after the handing over of the election writ to returning officers for the GE in Johor Baru last night. 

Also present was Johor Election Commission (EC) director Nor Nekman Jaimon. 

Azmi said this when asked for his advice to state government leaders and executive council members in facing the GE. 

He said that among the don’ts for Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi and members of the state assembly when holding official programmes for the state government is to have equipment and symbols of political parties at the event. 

“At official government programmes held during the campaign period, no party campaigning equipment or party symbols are allowed. 

“If it is a government programme, let it be a government event,” he added. 

Earlier, Azmi handed over the election writ to 26 returning officers for the GE in Johor. 

Yesterday, the EC announced that polling day is on November 19 , while nomination and early voting are on November 5 and November 15, respectively. – Bernama, October 21, 2022.