Johor state election may happen soon, says Penawar assemblyman

SHAH ALAM - Penawar assemblyman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain has given an indication that the Johor state election could be held soon.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblyman however emphasised that the final decision was in the hands of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in determining what was best for the people.

She said it was normal for the the Umno supreme council to help out the Umno-led state governments which were facing problems to get the majority seats in the state legislative assembly and find solutions to build a more stable government.

“There is no further information regarding this, but the state election is likely to take place, but I am not sure when.

“The BN state assemblymen have yet been given any signals since the power to dissolve the state legislative assembly is in the hands of the Sultan of Johor upon the advice of Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Ir Hasni Mohammad.

“As I am not a member of the supreme council, I am not sure of their support," she told Sinar Premium.

Commenting further on the matter, Sharifah Azizah who was also the former Johor Umno Wanita chief said all the BN state assemblymen were ready to face any possibilities of the state election being held in the near future.

She said, 16 BN assemblymen will have to abide by all the decisions made by the party's top leaders if the political moves were made for the sake of strengthening the party's position.

“If the Johor state election is being held now, I am confident that Umno and BN will obtain a huge victory because people are already filled with regret for making the wrong move in choosing the government during the 14th General Election.

“With BN contesting in 56 seats, it is not impossible that they could take over all the six seats held by Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and we also have a huge opportunity to steal a big part of the state legislative seats from Bersatu in the future," she said.

Despite the possibility that UMNO and BN will be solo contesting in the state election, if it were to take place, Sharifah Azizah said she is confident that the cooperation between the governing party still exists.

Citing the implementation of the Melaka state election, Sharifah said this will not affect the federal government's position.

She also hinted that any unexpected changes regarding the ties between the parties in the government could happen in the future considering the dynamic political scenario in the country.