JOHOR BARU: It is set to be an interesting battle in Johor with big names contesting many of the 26 parliamentary seats at stake.
Among those in the ring are MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who will defend his Ayer Hitam seat, while MIC vice-president Datuk M. Asojan is likely to be fielded in Segamat.
In the ring: (From left) Asojan, Noraini, Muhyiddin, Syed Saddiq and Salahuddin.
Three key Umno leaders are also said to be preparing their bids, with vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin to be given the nod for Kota Tinggi, while Wanita chief Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad and party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan are set to defend their Parit Sulong and Pontian seats respectively.
Talk is also rife that former Johor mentri besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad will contest in Simpang Renggam which was won by Bersatu in the 14th General Election (GE14).
However, sources said there was a possibility of last-minute horse-trading that could result in Hasni moving to Kota Tinggi and Khaled given the task of wresting Simpang Renggam.
Johor is a political powerhouse with a total of six ministers and two deputies appointed from the state.
They include Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein who is expected to defend his Sembrong seat for a fifth term.
Hishammuddin is the uncle of Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Dr Wee, who is the Transport Minister, is expected to face off with Johor DAP vice-chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali in Ayer Hitam.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has already stated his desire to defend his Pagoh seat for a record 10th term while Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman will defend his Muar seat.
Amanah deputy president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayob is being lined up to defend his Pulai seat, with Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) senior vice-president Steven Choong tipped to contest the Tebrau seat.
Pejuang treasurer-general Datuk Seri Dr Sharuddin Md Salleh is expected to defend his Sri Gading seat, while Johor Opposition chief and DAP strategist Liew Chin Tong, who lost to Dr Wee in GE14, is said to be Pakatan Harapan’s likely candidate in Iskandar Puteri.
Prior to the dissolution of Parliament, Barisan Nasional held a total of nine seats with seven from Umno and two from MCA.
The Opposition has a total of 17 seats with Pakatan (10), Bersatu (three), PBM (two) and one each from Muda and Pejuang.
Political analysts described the parliamentary election in Johor to be a do-or-die mission for some as their political careers would hinge on the outcome.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Dr Mazlan Ali acknowledged that it would be interesting to see how the top guns slug it out during GE15.
“Johor has always been a unique state with top leaders contesting since the early general elections,” he said.
He said he expected it to be a crowded election in Johor similar to the March state election.
Mazlan expressed confidence that voter turnout for GE15 could be higher than the state election, mainly due to the passing of the anti-hopping law.
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia political analyst Dr Mohd Akbal Abdullah said: “Yes, there are big names contesting and if candidates like Muhyiddin or Syed Saddiq lose, then not only will their political careers end but it may also spell the end of their parties.”
