Young and capable, Onn Hafiz 'perfect choice' for next Johor MB, say experts

SHAH ALAM - After speculation went rife over three possible Johor Menteri Besar candidates, an analyst says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi may be the "perfect choice".

Associate Professor Dr Azizuddin Mohd Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia said Onn Hafiz is young, has the potential, and people of Johor are familiar with him.

"I would say he is the perfect choice for this position," he said.

"Even if there are many other senior leaders yet it is a good decision for Barisan Nasional and UMNO to give the young a chance not only to lead the party but also the state government," he said to Sinar Daily.

The 43 years old Onn Hafiz was the former tourism, youth and sports exco. He also served as Johor's state assemblyman at Layang-Layang back in 2018 and in Machap. Sinar Daily reported yesterday that the other two candidates are BN poster boy Hasni Mohammad and Umno supreme council member Puad Zakarshi.

Azizuddin also added that this will lure other young leaders into leadership roles.

However, he said unlike the PH era, political instability in Johor is unlikely as Barisan Nasional won with a bigger majority of 40 seats from the total 56.

"I do not foresee any problem since the federal and state government comes from the same party (Barisan Nasional)," he added.

Meanwhile, Professor Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin commented that the final choice of choosing the Menteri Besar Johor lies in the hands of Johor Sultan, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar

"The fact that the Sultan wants to meet Umno leaders gives us a reason to guess that there are possibilities where he wants more names than one candidate," he said to Sinar Daily.

He added Onn Hafiz, an exco member has the experience to run the government.

"So I believe in some ways anyone could be a candidate but Onn Hafiz has administrative experience and that could be a consideration," he added.