Johor BN likely to retain Onn Hafiz as MB candidate, say analysts

2026-03-16 - 23:14

Onn Hafiz Ghazi will be an important asset in attracting fence-sitter voters in the upcoming Johor state election, analysts say. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: Johor Umno chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi is likely to be retained as Barisan Nasional’s menteri besar candidate in the next state election, analysts say, citing his track record in office and close ties with the palace. Hisommudin Bakar, the executive director of think tank Ilham Centre, said Onn Hafiz had endured difficult tests since taking office in 2022. “Johor is the only state governed without a unity government structure and with no representatives from Pakatan Harapan,” he told FMT. He said it also helps that Onn Hafiz, the grandson of former prime minister Hussein Onn, is free of baggage. Hisommudin was responding to calls by Amanah for Onn Hafiz to be made BN’s “poster boy” at the state polls. He also said that Onn Hafiz ticked all the boxes for what Johoreans wanted in their menteri besar: stable leadership, the ability to manage the state’s economy, good relations with the royal institution, and the capability to attract investment and development to the state. Recently, Onn Hafiz told Bernama the state government’s performance over the past four years showed a positive trajectory, particularly in terms of economic growth and increased state revenue. He said Johor’s revenue rose to about RM2.67 billion last year, from less than RM2 billion when he took office, and the state could potentially record more than RM3 billion, the highest in its history. He also said Johor recorded its highest-ever investment figure of RM110 billion last year. Hisommudin said Onn Hafiz has the potential to remain an important political asset in attracting fence-sitter voters. Still, he said, BN must be cautious when choosing its poster boy, as the final decision on the menteri besar lies with the sultan of Johor. He pointed to the aftermath of the 2022 state election, when BN had named Hasni Mohammad as its “poster boy” during the campaign, but the palace eventually appointed Onn Hafiz. Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Johoreans appeared satisfied with Onn Hafiz’s performance and had taken note of his close relationship with the Johor palace. “To ensure all parties are on the same page, BN should present the current menteri besar as its main figure,” he said. Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said Onn Hafiz’s relatively open political approach had made it easier for him to be accepted across different groups. “He also comes from a fairly influential political family, being part of the legacy of Onn Jaafar and Hussein Onn,” he said. Onn Hafiz is the great-grandson of Onn Jaafar, the founder of Umno. “He has an influential family background, education, and good political conduct. It may help attract support from fence-sitters as well as young voters,” Mazlan said.