Johor votes today, but can BN win without its 'Bossku'?

M Santhananaban

Over half of the 2.7 million voters in Johor are expected to cast their ballots in today’s state election.

It has been a lively fortnight of campaigning since nomination day on 27 June.

The caretaker government, led by Onn Hafiz Ghazi, won 40 of the 56 seats in the 2022 election.

Back then, Umno’s third-rung leader, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, was the country’s Prime Minister.

Najib Razak, popularly known as ‘Bossku’, was also fighting his final appeal at the Federal Court. Even so, he still gave Barisan Nasional’s campaign plenty of star power.

Felda settlers, too, were key to that success.

Today, Najib and his close ally, former Felda chairman Isa Samad, are both in prison. Will that make a difference this time round?

Pakatan Harapan, the main opposition to BN, leads the federal government.

PH leader Anwar Ibrahim has shown his usual confidence. He has insisted he will remain prime minister no matter which coalition wins in Johor.

Perikatan Nasional, Bersama, Muda and the socialist party PSM are the other, smaller players in the race. Could they spring a surprise or two”

Let us hope the election is peaceful and the weather kind. Above all, let us hope the result is clear-cut and good for the people of Johor.

Politicians come and go with their promises. But the remarkable people of Johor remain.

Dato’ M Santhananaban is a former Malaysian ambassador with 45 years of public sector experience.