The idea of Bangsa Johor is in line with DAP's quest for greater decentralisation of administrative powers from Putrajaya to the state governments, said DAP Johor.

"The idea of Bangsa Johor is increasingly popular," said Johor chairperson and Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong in his speech for the DAP Johor annual convention in Kulai yesterday.

He said this expression of state pride could change the lives of ordinary people for the better.

"The spirit of Bangsa Johor should eventually mean we aspire to achieve the best for ordinary Johoreans, for instance, the best water supply or the cleanest cities in the country.

"At the same time, through achieving the best standard of living for ordinary Johoreans, we lead Malaysians from everywhere else to better life," he said.

Liew said therefore there should be greater decentralisation and devolution of powers from the federal government to state governments.

"Transportation, municipal policing, education and health should be placed under the watch of the state governments.

"A substantial portion of income taxes raised in the state, say 50 percent, should be channelled to the state governments," said Liew.

Bangsa Johor was first coined by Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim last month when he criticised Putrajaya's '1Malaysia' slogan for not promoting national unity as claimed.

"I hope in the near future... the Johor government will introduce an education module for Johoreans. We'll make Bangsa Johor," the prince wrote on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook.

Possible state snap polls

Liew meanwhile said the coming year would be "the most important year in Malaysia's 60 years of nationhood".

Aside from speculation of the next general election, he said, the possibility of snap polls in the southern state cannot be dismissed.

"The fact that the possibility was discussed by Umno Johor reps (as reported in The Star) is an indication that Umno Johor is worried about being associated with Prime Minister Najib Razak and also concerned about the rise of Bersatu," he said.

He called for DAP to be ready for such a possibility "and further articulate our state agenda".

"We should not campaign only on national issues," said the Kluang MP.