Johor election key contests — Machap, Puteri Wangsa, Bukit Kepong in spotlight

JOHOR BAHRU, June 27 — Several high-profile contests are set to dominate the campaign for the 16th Johor state election, with heavyweight politicians, former ministers, and closely watched constituencies expected to shape the outcome when voters head to the polls on July 11.

Topping the list is Machap, where Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi of Barisan Nasional (BN) faces a straight fight against Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Nur Hafiz Roslan, a lawyer.

The contest is widely seen as a referendum on Onn Hafiz’s leadership after four years at the helm of the Johor state government.

Another key battleground is Puteri Wangsa, where former education minister Dr Maszlee Malik of PH faces the election’s highest-profile five-cornered contest against 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 Wang Wee Siong.

With more than 128,000 registered voters, Puteri Wangsa is among Johor’s largest constituencies and is expected to be one of the fiercest contests in the election.

In the north of the state, Bukit Kepong is shaping up as another key battleground, with former Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal carrying Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) challenge against BN’s Ahmad Syar’e Yusof and PH’s C. Subramani.

Permas will also be closely watched after Amanah fielded Sharon Teo Siew Hui as its first Chinese candidate in a four-cornered contest involving BN’s Baharudin Mohamed Taib, PN’s T. Vela, and Bersama’s Dr Zamil Najwah Arbain.

Attention will also be on Pasir Raja, where former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba returns to the state political arena after an eight-year absence. Representing BN, he faces PH’s Mohd Fakharuddin Moslim and PN’s Yuhanita Yunan in a three-cornered contest.

Urban voters will be watching Larkin, where BN incumbent Mohd Hairi Mad Shah, who is State Youth and Sports Committee chairman, takes on Pulai MP Suhaizan Kayat of PH, with Parti Bersama Malaysia’s Norsinah Abu adding another dimension to the contest.

Meanwhile, Endau will 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 fight.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities dean, Associate Prof Dr Mazlan Ali, said several marginal seats narrowly won by BN in the 2022 state election, including Bukit Pasir and Parit Yaani, could ultimately determine whether the coalition retains its two-thirds majority or whether the opposition makes significant gains.

Polling is on July 11, with early voting set for July 7.

For the latest updates on the state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor/. — Bernama