by Theleaders | May 20, 2026 4:34 pm
JOHOR BAHRU, May 20 — Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) remains committed to contesting independently in the upcoming state election despite being threatened, challenged and labelled traitors, the coalition’s state information chief Md Israk Abdullah said today.
He said BN and Umno had no reason to back down from the decision and would continue to field candidates in all 56 state constituencies.
“This is because Johor has its own political mould and is not dependent on any power-sharing arrangements.
“In Johor, there is no state unity government and there is no need to create such an arrangement as the existing government has a strong mandate from the people,” he said in a statement.
Md Israk, who is also Johor Umno information chief, was responding to several Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders who had called on Johor BN to consider political cooperation ahead of the state polls.
He said the mandate given to BN in the last state election was based on stability and confidence in the coalition’s ability to govern the state independently.
“Therefore, there is no question of Johor Umno turning into ‘UMDAP’ or claims that it will dissolve the party’s identity for short-term political interests,” he said, using the pejorative moniker combining Umno and DAP.
Md Israk said Johor Umno agreed with BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir’s statement yesterday that the unity government at the federal level was formed out of national responsibility to ensure stability after the 15th general election (GE15).
He said the federal-level cooperation had never diminished BN’s identity, strength and political autonomy at the state level, especially in Johor.
“At the same time, Johor Umno would like to point out that the main focus at the moment is to ensure that the state’s development agenda continues to be strengthened.
“This includes efforts to attract investments, strengthen the economy, expand welfare assistance and implement various state government initiatives under the leadership of Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi,” he said, adding that the people of Johor wanted stability, good leadership and clear direction.
Yesterday, Johor Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) vice-chief Suhaizan Kaiat called on state BN to consider forging political cooperation with PH.
The Pulai MP said it was the last chance for Johor BN to consider a joint political arrangement before the state election.
On Sunday, PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hinted that state BN should consider political cooperation during the 2026 PH Convention at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre here.
However, the prime minister also warned that if Johor BN insisted on contesting independently, PH was prepared to contest all seats in the upcoming state election.
Earlier, several PH leaders accused Johor BN of being ungrateful after it announced on Saturday that it would contest independently.
Source URL: https://theleaders-online.com/johor-bn-says-it-will-contest-state-polls-solo-despite-pressure-traitor-labels/
Copyright ©2026 The Leaders Online unless otherwise noted.