Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi declared on June 7 that he would rather give up the Menteri Besar post than cooperate with DAP in the Johor state government if BN wins the upcoming election [1, 2, 3, 4]. Speaking at the BN election machinery launch in Iskandar Puteri, Onn Hafiz said, "If we are given the mandate again, we will never be in government with DAP. I would rather not hold any position than sit at the same table with them." He emphasized this refusal was based on political principles, mandate, and responsibility to the people of Johor, not racial sentiment or arrogance [2, 5, 4]. "This is not arrogance. This is not about race. This is about principle, mandate and responsibility to the people of Johor," he added [2].
Onn Hafiz underlined the political situation in Johor differs from federal politics, where BN and Pakatan Harapan (including DAP) cooperate in the unity government. He reiterated that Johor BN aims to govern alone if given the mandate [2, 6, 4]. "DAP has never been and will never be part of a Johor BN government," he said [6]. BN plans to contest all 56 state assembly seats, seeking to improve on its 40 seats from the 2022 election [7, 4]. The Johor state assembly was dissolved on June 1, triggering the state election within 60 days [7]. The election date was chosen to avoid Ramadan, Chinese New Year, Aidilfitri, and the early 2027 monsoon season, as well as geopolitical uncertainties [1, 4].
The refusal to cooperate with DAP drew criticism from Pakatan Harapan and DAP leaders. DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke called Onn Hafiz’s stance "arrogance," noting federal cooperation where Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi sits alongside DAP leaders weekly in federal Cabinet meetings [8, 9, 10, 7]. Loke said, "Your president sits next to the DAP secretary-general every week. You don't want to sit at the same table with DAP... Great! Continue with your arrogance" [8]. Pakatan Harapan’s Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil warned against rigid political declarations with the Malay proverb "Terlajak kata buruk padahnya" (foolish words bring consequences) [10]. Amanah vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad also urged political flexibility [11].
BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir defended Onn Hafiz’s position as based on political principles, not racial sentiment. He said, "He is not a chauvinist or racist in rejecting cooperation with DAP, and has always prioritised the interests of the people" [5].
Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak posted a photo of Onn Hafiz with the Chinese community on June 9, promoting unity and rejecting divisive politics [12].
The Johor state election is scheduled to be held within 60 days after the assembly’s June 1 dissolution. BN’s campaign will test Onn Hafiz’s stance as it seeks a stronger mandate to govern alone in the state.
