Battle of three coalitions takes off in Johor
LIVE | The day has finally arrived for aspiring candidates of the Johor polls as the Election Commission will take nominations today.
Campaigning for the Johor election will kick off immediately after the nomination process concludes and candidates are announced this morning.
The Johor polls will be a litmus test for...
LIVE | The day has finally arrived for aspiring candidates of the Johor polls as the Election Commission will take nominations today.
Campaigning for the Johor election will kick off immediately after the nomination process concludes and candidates are announced this morning.
Who's who? Where are the battlegrounds? Malaysiakini brings you our live highlights of the nomination process.
Battle of three coalitions takes off in Johor
12.40pm: This concludes Malaysiakini's live highlights of the Johor polls nomination process.
Campaigning has officially begun to win the hearts and minds of Johoreans, who will go to the polls on March 12.
The Johor election will be a litmus test for the country's shifting political landscape.
For more than two decades, the country has seen a two-coalition system developing, culminating with the end of the one-coalition rule in 2018.
However, the Pakatan Harapan government that took over was short-lived, and after its collapse in 2020, a new political configuration comprising three major coalitions has been taking shape.
Umno and BN, in a bid to ride on the momentum of its victory in the Malacca polls last November with the goal of eventually restoring the old order in the general election due in 2023, dissolved the Johor state assembly on Jan 22.
It is seeking to win a majority on its own so that it can ditch Perikatan Nasional (PN) from the state government.
PN, vexed at BN's unilateral action, is now pouring resources into undermining Umno in its traditional strongholds. It aims to turn the dissolution into a costly mistake for BN.
Meanwhile, Harapan is still trying to find its footing after a series of electoral setbacks fuelled by voter disillusionment.
The opposition remains divided, with several new players in Johor, including Muda, Pejuang and Warisan.
Candidates for more key seats confirmed
12.30pm: The following are the final candidates for some key seats in the Johor polls:
Benut:
Hasni Mohammad (BN) - incumbent MB
Isa Ab Hamid Bersatu Haniff (PN)
Ghazali Hosman (PKR)
Iskandar Noor Ibrahim (Pejuang)
Simpang Jeram:
Mahaizal Mahmor (Pejuang)
Salahuddin Ayub (Harapan) - Amanah deputy president
Zarul Salleh (PN)
Lokman Md Don (BN)
Perling:
Koo Shiaw Lee (PN)
Liew Chin Tong (Harapan) - Johor DAP chief
Tan Hiang Kee (BN)
Yong Peng:
Ling Tian Soon (BN) - MCA national organising secretary
Alan Tee Boon Tsong (Harapan)
Susan Yong Fui Ling (PN)
Machap:
R Sangaran (Muda)
Onn Hafiz Ghazi (BN)
Azlisham Azahar (PN)
Shahruddin Md Salleh (Pejuang) - Johor Pejuang chief
Najib's strongman in Rengit
12.05pm: Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi, a strong backer of ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, is confirmed as the candidate for Rengit.
He will face three other candidates from PN, PKR and Pejuang. The candidates are:
Mohammad Huzair Lajis (PN)
Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN)
NIzam Bashir Abdul Kariem Bashir (Pejuang)
Khairuddin A Rahim (PKR)
Mohd Puad was the Batu Pahat MP from 2008 to 2013. Rengit is one of the state seats within the parliamentary constituency.
Muda, PKR friendly fire in Larkin
11.50am: Clashing candidates in Larkin from Muda and PKR are set to battle it out as campaigning begins following the close of nominations this morning.
PKR's candidate Dr Zamil Najwah Arbain says he is ready to take on unresolved issues, including those that affect youths.
"I have a big responsibility to fulfil, and I'm ready to take on the challenges.
"There are various issues, including ones affecting the youths, such as job opportunities," says Zamil, who in the 14th general election contested for PKR in Tanjung Surat.
Meanwhile, Muda's candidate, Rasid Abu Bakar says his focus will remain on highlighting issues in Larkin and leaving the final decision to the voters.
"The people can choose which candidate they want. We must change our mindset from party politics to service politics.
"That is more important than only focusing on the parties," he says.
The Larkin seat will see a six-cornered contest involving PKR, Muda, PN, BN, Pejuang and an Independent candidate.
Police urge all parties to follow Health Ministry SOP
11.40am: Deputy OCPD of Johor Bharu South, Lim Jit Huey, is urging all political parties, public and media personnel to strictly adhere to the SOP from the Health Ministry.
This was following the incident of a journalist receiving a RM1,000 compound in Larkin earlier.
“Whoever failed to follow the SOP, the police would not hesitate to take action,” he said.
A journalist with Chinese-daily Sin Chew, Wang Kian Yong, has been issued an RM1,000 compound by Health Ministry after authorities alleged that he failed to observe social distancing while on duty covering the nominations for candidates in Larkin earlier today.
Meanwhile, Lim says a total of 365 police officers were assigned to take care of four nomination centres under Johor Bahru South, which are Puteri Wangsa, Larkin, Stulang and Perling.
He adds the nomination process in all four stations above ran smoothly this morning.
PKR candidate Covid-19 positive at nomination centre
11.25am: Naim Jusri, who is supposed to be PKR's candidate for Gambir, has been tested positive for Covid-19 upon arriving at the nomination centre.
He is still allowed to file his nomination papers after being isolated. His candidacy is submitted by his proposer.
Naim's nomination papers are accepted and his name will still appear on the ballot paper. However, he is absent during the final candidate announcement. The candidates are:
Shah Rihan Ghani (BN)
Mohd Solihan Badri (PN)
Na'im Jusri (PKR)
Suraya Sulaiman (Pejuang)
The incumbent in Gambir is PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, who is not contesting in this state polls.
Ex-Johor MB in 4-cornered Bkt Kepong battle
11.05am: Bukit Kepong is another constituency expecting to see a four-cornered fight where PN’s Dr Sahruddin Jamal and BN’s Ismail Mohamed are set to clash.
When asked about the possibility of returning to his former post as menteri besar, should he win, Sahruddin tells reporters that he will leave it to the party leadership to decide.
Further, he stresses that he is merely a party member.
“I am only a party member. I will first ensure my party PN will win in this state election,” he says.
Sahruddin was previously the Johor menteri besar for a period of ten months - spanning from April 2019 to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government in February 2020.
Steven Choong's aide goes rogue
10.50am: Tiram is seeing political drama after J Shangkar, a disgruntled aide of Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) senior vice-president Steven Choong, resigns to contest in the state seat as an independent.
PBM has already decided to field Azmi Ali in Tiram.
PBM secretary-general Hizwan Ahmad maintains Shangkar is not a PBM member and accuses him of seeking publicity.
"Unless he has proven that he is a PBM member, I take this as an attempt to take advantage in order to get publicity and popularity from PBM," he tells Malaysiakini.
Meanwhile, Choong, who defected from PKR, is confirmed as a candidate for Puteri Wangsa. The contenders in Puteri Wangsa are:
Adzrin Adam (Independent)
Ng Yew Aik (BN)
Khairil Anwar Ghazali (Pejuang)
Loh Kah Yong (PN)
Steven Choong (PBM)
Amira Aisya Abd Aziz (Muda)
Choong, speaking to journalists after the nomination, confirms his aide has gone rogue.
"He was with me in PKR, he was with me before the 14th general election - four years. He was also the Pasir Gudang local councillor before," he says.
He adds that Shangkar was upset about not being nominated as a candidate.
However, he says Shangkar will have to face the consequences for not toeing the party line.
"If you don't obey, you are not fit to be our party member," he says.
Muda, PKR clash Larkin’s crowded field
10.40am: It is going to be a crowded field in Larkin, where PKR and Muda are set to clash.
The Election Commission confirms the seat will see a six-corner fight.
The candidates are:
Hairi Md Shah (Umno)
Zulkifli Bujang (PN)
Zamil Najwah Arbain (PKR)
Rasid Abu Bakar (Muda)
Mohamad Riadz Mohamad Hashim (Pejuang)
Norramadan Buan (independent)
Meanwhile, Layang-Layang, where PKR has fielded its potential menteri besar candidate, will see a four-cornered battle.
The candidates are:
Mutalif Rahim (BN)
Maszlee Malik (PKR)
Alagathiran Krishnan (PN)
Ahmad Shafiq Othaman (Pejuang)
Four-cornered fight in Bukit Batu
10.30am: Dewan Taman Putri, Bukit Batu - The Election Commission officially confirms that Bukit Batu will see a four-cornered fight.
There are no surprises as all four candidates were previously announced by their respective parties.
The candidates are:
Lee Ming Wen (Warisan)
Tan Heng Choon (PN)
S Spayyah (BN)
Chiong Sen Sern (PKR)
Johor polls nomination ends
10am: The nomination period officially concludes for all seats in Johor.
The Election Commission is now going through the paperwork of all candidates.
The official candidates for all seats are expected to be announced within the hour.
Former MCA man makes PKR debut in Bkt Batu
9.50am: Dewan Taman Putri, Bukit Batu - PKR candidate Chiong Sen Sern, who is facing some unhappiness as he only recently joined the party, promises to do his best and come out with friendly policies for the constituency if he wins.
Chong was previously an MCA member and only joined PKR in 2019.
Asked if the grassroots unhappiness about his MCA past will affect his chances, Chong says what is important now is to focus on the people's voice and economic recovery.
"What happened in the past is not important anymore," he adds.
Last-minute change ‘normal’, says Selamat
9.40am: Dewan Dataran Sarang Buaya, Sungai Balang - Umno's replacement Sungai Balang candidate Selamat Takim says the last minute change is "normal".
"The issue of a change of candidate is a normal process during negotiations. The top leadership determined who is the best candidate. There is no issue of rejection,” he adds.
Selamat replaces Mohd Helmi Abdul Latif who was originally announced as Umno's candidate for Sungai Balang but was replaced after the grassroots protested.
Selamat says he still has a good relationship with Helmi. He adds that Helmi has accepted the leadership's decision.
Journalist issued RM1k compound
9.20am: Works Department Hall, Larkin - A journalist with Chinese-daily Sin Chew, Wong Kian Yong, has been issued an RM1,000 compound after authorities alleged that he failed to observe social distancing while on duty covering the nominations for candidates in Larkin.
"I was approaching the independent candidate to ask for his contact details when the health authority issues me with a compound.
"I asked can't I be let go with a warning but they said there were already three warnings given," says Wong.
Authorities also issue warnings to two media personnel from the online portal Malaysia Gazette.
MCA, DAP proxy battle in Yong Peng
9.10am: SMK Dato Seth, Yong Peng - MCA candidate Ling Tian Soon arrives at the nomination centre.
This is the second time he is contesting in Yong Peng after losing to DAP's Chew Peck Choo with 5,089 votes in 2018.
DAP's Alan Tee Boon Tsong has also arrived at the nomination centre.
Tee is the political secretary to Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong, while Ling is also political secretary to MCA president and Johor MCA chief Wee Ka Siong.
Hence, MCA and DAP battle in Yong Peng is considered as a “proxy war” between Liew and Wee after their fight in 2018 in the Ayer Hitam parliamentary seat, which Wee won in a marginal majority of 303 votes.
Yong Peng is one of the two state seats under Ayer Hitam.
Tee describes his battle this time with Ling as “another Ayer Hitam war but on a smaller scale”.
"Yong Peng is a hot seat for MCA and also DAP.
"If Pakatan Harapan wants to come into power in Johor, we've to win Yong Peng," says Tee.
Four-cornered fight in Layang-Layang
9.05am: Simpang Renggam Municipal Council, Layang-Layang - N27 Layang-Layang will almost certainly see at least a four-cornered fight in the Johor state election as BN candidate Abd Mutalip Abd Rahim arrives at the nomination centre together with his proposer and seconder.
Also present are PKR’s Maszlee Malik, Ahmad Shafiq Bin Othaman (Pejuang), and Alagathiran Krishnan (PN).
The nomination period has 55 minutes more to go until 10am.
Warisan and Muda say they have no intention to contest the Layang-Layang state seat, while no independent candidates have shown up.
Media members told to observe social distancing
9.00am: Works Department Hall, Larkin - A health department officer requests several media personnel to show their MyKad after two initial warnings were given to observe social distancing regulations.
The media members are mostly taking photographs and videos of candidates waiting under a canopy before entry into the nomination hall.
So far candidates from BN, Pejuang, Muda and an independent candidate have arrived.
The Independent candidate, Norramadan Buan, 45, says he is a native of Larkin with intentions to serve his area.
Larkin is expected to shape up into a six-cornered contest involving BN, PN, Muda, Pejuang, PKR and at least one Independent.
Nomination starts in Simpang Renggam
8.55am: Simpang Renggam Municipal Council, Layang-Layang - Election Commission officer Abdul Hakim Abd Manap announces that the nomination period now starts and will end at 10am.
PN candidate Alagathiran Krishnan arrives at the nomination centre together with his proposer and seconder.
EC officers then allow PKR candidate Maszlee Malik, who is the first to arrive this morning, to enter the nomination centre.
He is then followed by Pejuang candidate Ahmad Shafiq Othaman.
Business as usual for Tebrau MP
8.50am: Dewan Raya Taman Pelangi Indah, Puteri Wangsa - For veteran politician like Steven Chong, the nomination process is a “normal” thing for him.
“Like usual. We will work hard to win the seat,” says the Tebrau MP.
The ex-PKR man is representing the newly formed Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) and wearing a purple shirt, which is the party's official colour too.
Meanwhile, MCA Tebrau chief Ng Yew Aik is the last candidate to arrive.
Wearing BN’s deep blue party shirt, Ng described himself as a leader who works hard on the ground for decades in Tebrau.
Puteri Wangsa is expected for at least a five-cornered fight.
Last-minute Umno change in Sungai Balang
8.40am: Dewan Dataran Sarang Buaya, Sungai Balang - BN's Selamat Takim is the first candidate to arrive at the Sungai Balang nomination centre, confirming a 11th hour change of candidate.
Selamat, 57, was widely speculated to be replacing Mohd Helmi Abdul Latif after the latter was initially announced by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the candidate.
However, Helmi has been replaced in less than 24 hours after protest from the Umno grassroots in Sungai Balang, with banners going up condemning the "outsider".
Selamat, clad in BN's trademark blue, is the Muar Umno secretary.
Like all candidates, he comes without supporters as nomination day rallies are banned due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gerakan, Pejuang Puteri Wangsa candidates arrive
8.40am: Dewan Raya Taman Pelangi Indah, Puteri Wangsa - PN candidate Loh Kah Yong gives thanks to his party for the chance contest in the state polls.
“I feel happy and excited,” he says.
The Johor Gerakan vice-secretary hopes that he can serve the constituency as he was born and raised there.
Pejuang candidate Khairil Anwar Razali is there too.
“I have been involved in administration before this and I feel that I need to be in the system in order to help or fix what was happening now,” says the 49-year-old candidate.
Gerakan contesting in Yong Peng for the first time
8.30am: SMK Dato Seth, Yong Peng - Gerakan candidate Susan Yong Fui Ling arrives at the nomination centre.
The 53-year-old Yong is the women chief of Johor Gerakan and this is her first time contesting in an election.
She has been with Gerakan for the past 16 years and manages an charity NGO. She hopes to use the organisation's platform to help the people if she wins.
Gerakan has never contested in Yong Peng when they were with BN.
Maszlee shows up in traditional attire
8.30am: Simpang Renggam Municipal Council, Layang-Layang - Maszlee Malik, PKR’s candidate for N27 Layang Layang, is the first to arrive the nomination centre.
Clad in Baju Melayu Teluk Belanga, which is a Johor traditional suit for Malay men, Maszlee is accompanied by proposer Siti Norhayati Ahmad Sekak and seconder B Prasanan.
Muda sec-gen excited for her first election
8.10am: Dewan Raya Taman Pelangi Indah, Puteri Wangsa - Muda secretary-general Amira Aisya is the earliest candidate to arrive at the nomination centre.
Amira says she feels nervous as this is the first time Muda and she are involved in an election.
“I also feel excited for Muda and my candidacy for N41 Puteri Wangsa,” says the 27 years old Johorean.
Amira is accompanied by her proposer Amirul Aziz Abd Aziz and seconder Yogesh Rajagopal.
Local council officers removed Pakatan Harapan flags
8.10am: SMK Dato Seth, Yong Peng - Local council officers are seen removing Pakatan Harapan flags as they are placed too close to the nomination centre.
The flags are within 50 metres of the nomination centre here.
They are not removing Harapan and BN flags that are farther away from the perimeter.
Pejuang candidate first to arrive at Bkt Kepong centre
8.01am: Dewan Karisma, IKTBN Pagoh, Bukit Kepong - Pejuang’s Md Taib Md Suhut arrives at the Bukit Kepong nomination centre clad in a white baju Melayu and green kain pelikat.
Despite being the first of the Bukit Kepong candidates to arrive, Md Taib is not immediately allowed into the nomination centre as he fails to perform a self-test for Covid-19, prior to his arrival.
He then proceds to a special tent to perform an RTK-test.
The Pejuang candidate is a parliamentary coordinator for the seat of Muar.
Nomination centres to open at 9am
8.00am: The nomination centres are set to officially open at 9am.
Like the Malacca election last November, rallies outside the nomination centres are banned as a precaution against Covid-19.
This was amid a surge of cases due to the Omicron variant. Johor recorded 2,369 new Covid-19 cases yesterday.
The candidates will only be allowed to bring their proposer and seconder into the nomination centre.
The Election Commission (EC) will vet the candidates to ensure they have not been convicted of a crime that carries a sentence of at least one year or a fine of more than RM2,000 and also is also not bankrupt.
Their MyKad address must also be in the state they are contesting in - a rule that only applies for state seats.
If there is nothing that will disqualify them, the returning officer will announce them as the official candidates at the end of the nomination process, which will last for an hour.
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