JOHOR BAHRU: With Johor’s state election set for July 11, caretaker Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi is urging voters to give his Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition a strong mandate to continue the state’s development momentum.
Under his leadership, Johor recorded the highest GDP growth among Malaysian states in 2024 at 6.4%, and attracted a record RM110 billion in approved investments in 2025. He credits the “Maju Johor 2030” agenda and cross-border projects such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the soon-to-open RTS Link for driving the transformation.
Rising living costs and housing affordability remain key voter concerns. Onn Hafiz outlined plans to accelerate construction of affordable homes - 100,000 units by 2030, with 20,000 already completed - and expand a voucher scheme modeled after Singapore’s CDC programme.
BN and the federal unity government partner Pakatan Harapan are rivals in the state, and tensions flared after Onn Hafiz refused to work with the Democratic Action Party. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim criticized BN’s posture as arrogant, but Onn Hafiz says Johor voters will judge parties on their track records, not empty promises.
“A strong result for BN in Johor will signal that Johoreans want stability,” he said. “Bangsa Johor must come together to ensure we have a strong mandate so that we can bring this beautiful state to the next stage.”