Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, the incumbent Rengit assemblyman and Johor State Legislative Assembly speaker, announced on June 17, 2026, that he will not defend his seat in the upcoming Johor state election scheduled for July 11, 2026 [1, 2]. Puad, aged 69 at the time of the announcement, cited his age as the main reason for stepping aside, noting, "I am now 69-year-old. In five years, I will be 74-year-old. For me, it is not appropriate at that age to want to contest a state seat again" [2].
Mohd Puad informed Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Johor Umno chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi about his decision roughly two weeks before his public announcement [1, 2]. He urged that candidates aged 50 and below be given more opportunities to contest state seats, endorsing a younger leadership approach led by Onn Hafiz [1, 2].
In addition, Mohd Puad submitted a detailed proposal outlining the qualities he believes a replacement candidate for Rengit should have, including strong education, good character, dedication, and an understanding of the nation’s direction [1, 2]. He expressed confidence that Johor Umno's leadership would choose the right candidate, saying, "I express confidence that the Johor Umno leadership will make appropriate considerations in determining the best candidate to continue serving the people in the Rengit area" [2].
Mohd Puad first won the Rengit seat in the 2022 Johor state election with a majority of 1,920 votes [1]. He took time to thank the people of Rengit, civil servants, village heads, the Chinese community, and His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim for their support during his tenure and appointment as Johor speaker [1, 2].
The Johor state election nomination day is set for June 27, 2026, with polling to take place on July 11, 2026 [1].
