KLUANG – The Machap state seat is set for a two-cornered contest as incumbent Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi is challenged by Pakatan Harapan (PH)-Amanah candidate Nur Hafiz Roslan in the 16th Johor state election.
The clash reaffirms Machap's status as one of the seats to watch, with Onn Hafiz, who is also Johor Umno chairman and Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, defending the seat he won at the 2022 Johor state election.
The announcement of eligible candidates was made by Machap returning officer Mohd Izzul Helmi Ahmad at Dewan Muafakat, Simpang Renggam District Council, after the nomination process ended at 10am.
Earlier, hundreds of supporters filled the grounds of the nomination centre from early morning to show their support for both candidates, with BN and PH supporters each shouting words of encouragement.
Onn Hafiz arrived at the nomination centre accompanied by several senior Umno leaders, including Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Ir Hasni Mohammad, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Khairy Jamaluddin.
At the 2022 Johor state election, Onn Hafiz won the Machap seat with a majority of 6,543 votes after garnering 11,029 votes, defeating candidates from Perikatan Nasional (PN), Muda and Pejuang.
The Johor state election will be held on July 11, while early voting is set for July 7.