Several high-profile contests are expected to dominate the campaign for the 16th Johor state election, with heavyweight politicians, former ministers and closely watched constituencies likely to shape the outcome when voters head to the polls on July 11.
One of the most anticipated battles is in Machap, where Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi of Barisan Nasional (BN) faces Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) lawyer candidate Nur Hafiz Roslan in a straight fight.
The contest is widely viewed as a key test of Onn Hafiz’s leadership after four years leading the Johor state government.
In Puteri Wangsa, former education minister Dr Maszlee Malik will headline the election’s highest-profile five-cornered contest. Representing PH, he takes on BN’s Teow Chia Ling, Nicholas Paul Vincent of Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama), Rashifa Al Junied of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA), and Independent candidate Wang Wee Siong.
With more than 128,000 registered voters, Puteri Wangsa is among Johor’s largest constituencies and is expected to witness one of the fiercest battles in the state election.
Further north, Bukit Kepong is shaping up to be another closely watched contest, with former Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal leading Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) challenge against BN’s Ahmad Syar’e Yusof and PH’s C. Subramani in a three-cornered fight.
Attention will also be on Permas, where Amanah has fielded Sharon Teo Siew Hui as its first Chinese candidate. She faces BN’s Baharudin Mohamed Taib, PN’s T. Vela and Bersama’s Dr Zamil Najwah Arbain in a four-cornered contest.
In Pasir Raja, former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba returns to state politics after an eight-year absence. Representing BN, he will face PH’s Mohd Fakharuddin Moslim and PN’s Yuhanita Yunan.
Urban voters will be closely watching Larkin, where incumbent Mohd Hairi Mad Shah of BN, who also serves as the state Youth and Sports Committee chairman, faces Pulai MP Suhaizan Kayat of PH. Parti Bersama Malaysia’s Norsinah Abu completes the three-way contest.
Meanwhile, Endau is set to make electoral history as Parti Orang Asli Malaysia (ASLI) makes its election debut. The party has fielded Jati Awang against BN’s Alwiyah Talib, PH’s Saiful Nizam Samat and PN’s Hasnul Hakimi Hussien in a four-cornered race.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities dean Associate Professor Dr Mazlan Ali said several marginal seats narrowly won by BN in the 2022 state election, including Bukit Pasir and Parit Yaani, could prove decisive in determining whether the coalition retains its two-thirds majority or if the opposition makes significant gains.
Polling for the Johor state election is scheduled for July 11, while early voting will take place on July 7.
