THE “CONTINUITY” CANDIDATE
Onn Hafiz, 47, became Johor chief minister, or menteri besar, in 2022 after BN won 40 of 56 state seats in the previous election. Onn Hafiz won in Machap constituency, which he will be defending on Jul 11.
Under him, Johor has advanced several flagship initiatives including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, helping position the southern state as a “strategic growth corridor” for Malaysia.
“Onn Hafiz remains the strongest candidate on administrative experience and economic delivery,” said UM’s Tawfik.
“His strength is (providing) continuity, especially with Johor’s investment momentum and growth narrative.”
Onn Hafiz took office at a time when Johor “needed clearer political direction after several years of leadership changes”, Tawfik said.
Between 2018 and 2022 – when Onn Hafiz was the assemblyman for Layang-Layang constituency – Johor had four different chief ministers as shifting political coalitions and the Sheraton Move reshaped the state government, Tawfik noted.
The Sheraton Move of 2020 saw the collapse of the PH administration led by then-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad due to infighting.
Before that, PH, under Mahathir, had wrested control of Johor from BN in 2018, with Osman Sapian and later Sahruddin Jamal serving as chief ministers.
BN returned to power in 2020, with Hasni Mohammad serving as chief minister.
Onn Hafiz was appointed chief minister after BN’s landslide victory in the 2022 state election.