SHAH ALAM: The Johor State Election officially kicks off today with Nomination Day statewide with 239 candidates aged between 71 to 26 across 56 state assembly seats.
Never shy from the spotlight, Barisan Nasional (BN) advisory board chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak has already given his thoughts on the state polls and what it signifies.
He described Johor as the turning point for Malaysia’s political landscape and scenario.
The state’s "big” physical size and Umno’s birthplace, he said, as well as the fact that many of Umno and Bersatu’s top leadership came from Johor were major factors in the change.
"If Johor returns to Umno as a state-led by Umno and gets support from the people via a strong majority, the victory to BN gives a clear signal that in the national perspective, BN has a huge chance to win in the upcoming General Elections,” he said during a press conference in Pagoh today.
Najib said the size of Johor, its Parliament and 56 state seats were of mixed demographics and reflected Malaysia's national scale most.
He said the numbers does not only reflect support from the Malays but also those from various racial backgrounds.
When asked if BN had a good chance of winning the two seats under Pagoh Parliament, Najib said he did not want to be too optimistic but did feel they had a good chance of winning.
"I think we have a very good chance of winning based on the reaction I received and noticed during my visit, as well as reports we have received.
"But in an election, I would always say we are cautiously optimistic.
"We still have to work hard, they might have two or three tricks up their sleeve, you never know.
"We have to be prepared for everything, any eventualities to ensure BN wins,” he said.
For the Bukit Pasir seat, BN’s Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh is up against Pejuang’s Mohd Akhiri Mahmood, Pakatan Harapan’s Elia Nadira Sabudin, Perikatan Nasional’s Muhd Nur Iqbal And Razak and two independent candidates, Johar Siraj and Najib Lep.
In Bukit Kepong, BN’s Ismail Mohamad is up against Johor former Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal, Pejuang’s Md Taib Md Suhut and Muda’s Nur Afiqah M. Zulkifli.
When asked as to why Najib chose to start the campaign period in Johor, he said this was not his first location throughout the campaign as he had already been to Tenggaroh, Sedili, Pasir Gudang and Larkin among others.
"I believe it is a significant (starting official campaign day in Pagoh) for various reasons but I am also going to other places as well.
"Time is limited and Johor is huge but I am confident everything will be good and the commitment from Umno divisions and national level looks strong,” he added.
The former prime minister also commented on PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin offering himself as the state government’s economic adviser if the coalition wins the polls on March 12.
Najib said the Muhyiddin, who was his deputy from 2009 to 2015, was not qualified to hold the position based on his track record during his short stint as prime minister.
Najib said under PN, the country was put under continuous lockdowns in the world to stop the spread of Covid-19.
"Many people are saying this, not just me.
"What support or evidence can he show that he can be the economic advisor to the state?
"What can he do for Johor? That’s what many people are questioning,” he said.