Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) is expected to unveil its full slate of candidates for the upcoming state election this weekend, with the final list likely to be announced on Saturday.
Johor BN chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the candidate selection process is about 80% complete but stressed that no names can be considered final until official appointment letters are issued.
“The process is in its final stage, but everything remains subject to approval and can still change,” he said.
Onn Hafiz, who is also Johor Menteri Besar, said all proposed candidates must receive the endorsement of BN chairman and UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as well as leaders of the coalition’s component parties.
He said BN is prioritising candidates with strong grassroots support, proven service records and local influence rather than age.
“Candidates must be locals, known in their constituencies and accepted by the community. Most importantly, they must have the ability to serve and win,” he said.
According to Onn Hafiz, the final lineup is expected to feature a mix of experienced and fresh faces from diverse professional backgrounds as BN seeks to field its strongest candidates across the state.
He also identified young and first-time voters as a key voting bloc that could shape the outcome of the election and the formation of the next Johor government.
Voters aged below 40 account for between 20% and 40% of Johor’s population, making engagement with younger voters increasingly important, he added.
Onn Hafiz also called on Johoreans living and working outside the state, particularly in Singapore, to return home to cast their ballots, while urging party members who are not selected as candidates to remain loyal and continue serving the people.
Johor will head to the polls on July 11, with nomination day set for June 27 and early voting on July 7.
