PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob wants Johor to return to being an Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold and contribute to the coalition’s victory in the general election (GE). 

Ismail Sabri, who is also an Umno vice-president, said Johor had previously often been referred to as an Umno and BN bastion, what more with the party’s (Umno) origins taking root in Johor.

“I once said in my speech in Johor that the state is the last bastion in terms of our party’s strength, as Umno was born in Johor and that if Johor falls, then the whole country (Umno and BN) will also fall. 

“This was clearly proven when (BN) fell (in GE14), Malaysia (BN-led federal government) also fell and this is why Johor must ensure that the state returns to being an Umno and BN stronghold.”

“Insya-Allah, with Johor being strong, the whole nation will remain under BN,” he said at a meet-and-greet session with Ayer Hitam parliamentary constituents in Taman Suria, Ayer Hitam today. 

Johor is the first state to be visited by the prime minister since the GE campaign officially kicked off on Saturday. 

Ismail Sabri said since BN’s huge victory in the Johor state election in March, there has been much progress achieved in the state under the leadership of Johor BN chairman Hasni Mohammad and Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

“Congratulations Hasni and Onn Hafiz. In terms of investment in Johor, when Pakatan Harapan ruled, they were only able to attract RM12 billion in investments, causing Johor to fall to sixth or seventh place. 

“But when we (BN) ruled, under Hasni and Onn Hafiz, investments amounted to RMRM60 billion, making Johor the top state in the country in terms of investments,” said Ismail Sabri.

The Umno vice-president also reminded Ayer Hitam voters not to get caught up with the games played by the Opposition and to wisely choose candidates who will represent their voices.

“Although (Ayer Hitam parliamentary BN candidate) Wee Ka Siong is not a Malay, he had been cooperating with BN from the beginning,” Ismail Sabri said. – Bernama, November 9, 2022.