BN state govt will never work with DAP, says Onn Hafiz

Caretaker Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi today pledged that BN would not form a state government with DAP if it is returned to power in the upcoming state election.

Speaking at BN's election machinery launch, Onn said he would rather forgo the menteri besar post than work alongside the party.

“InsyaAllah, when our government is re-established, with the consent of His Majesty the Johor sultan and His Royal Highness the Johor regent, if we are given the mandate to lead once again, we will never, ever be with DAP in a BN government.

"With the permission of (BN chairperson) Datuk Seri (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi), I would rather not hold the post of menteri besar than sit at the same table with them," he declared to cheers from a sea of blue gathered at the Educity Sports Complex indoor stadium, Iskandar Puteri.

The Johor Umno chief also dismissed claims that a vote for BN would amount to a vote for DAP, describing the allegation as slander being spread by political opponents.

Onn said all 26 Umno divisions in Johor, together with BN's component parties, supported the coalition contesting all 56 state seats on its own.

He also said Zahid had given him permission to announce BN's decision to field candidates in all constituencies.

Onn further argued that Johor's political landscape differed from federal-level arrangements and maintained that Johor BN had never governed together with DAP.

"As far as I know, Johor BN has never sat together with DAP. The situation at the federal level and the reality in Johor are somewhat different," he said.

Earlier today, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke brushed aside concerns that the controversy involving outgoing Skudai assemblyperson Marina Ibrahim could alienate Malay voters for the party.

Stressing that elected representatives win polls on party tickets rather than personal strength, Loke dismissed the idea that the actions of a single individual could significantly harm DAP.

In an immediate response to Onn, Loke later said, ”You don't want to sit at the same table with DAP...Great! Keep up your arrogance.”

“But your president sits next to the DAP secretary-general every week... just so you know... thank you!” said Loke in a Facebook post that accompanied a photograph of Zahid, as deputy prime minister, sitting next to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a weekly cabinet meeting.

BKJ programme

At the event today, Onn also defended the state's Bantuan Kasih Johor (BKJ) programme, after critics questioned the initiative following BN's decision to contest all 56 seats.

According to him, there had been no objections when the first three phases of BKJ were implemented, but criticism emerged after BN announced its electoral strategy.

"When we introduced BKJ Phase One, there was not a single voice opposing it. The same happened with BKJ Phase Two and Phase Three.

"But when we announced our intention to contest all 56 seats, suddenly BKJ was said to be burdening the people," he added.

Johor was last called to the polls in March 2022, when BN secured a two-thirds majority by winning 40 of the state's 56 seats. Pakatan Harapan won 13 seats, while Perikatan Nasional captured three.

The 2026 Johor election is expected to see a more crowded contest, with several parties and coalitions seeking to challenge BN's dominance in what is traditionally regarded as one of Umno's strongest states.

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