BN gains no advantage from separate state elections, says UMNO leader

Barisan Nasional (BN) will not benefit regardless of whether the state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan are conducted separately or concurrently, according to UMNO Vice President Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Nordin emphasized that BN and its coalition partners must depend on their individual strengths to win the people's trust and mandate. He stated that UMNO and BN are prepared for any election scenario. When asked about the Election Commission's (SPR) announcement of separate election dates for Johor and Negeri Sembilan, Nordin deferred the question about the timing to the SPR itself.

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We do not depend on whether we are together or not. The question of why the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections are held separately or not, that must be asked of the Election Commission (SPR).

He recalled that when the Johor State Legislative Assembly was dissolved previously, there was no discussion about holding the state election simultaneously with Negeri Sembilan, as the latter's dissolution was not anticipated at that time. Nordin made these remarks to reporters after attending the official opening of the Ministry of Defence's Jiwa Murni Madani Program at SK Johor Kampong.

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He was not saying that DAP is Chinese and Chinese are DAP, but rather he was talking about DAP as a political party. BN itself also has component parties representing the Chinese community from the past, they are our partners.

The SPR has set the nomination day for the Johor state election as June 27, with early voting on July 7 and polling on July 11. For Negeri Sembilan, nomination day is July 18, early voting on July 28, and polling on August 1.

Additionally, Nordin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kota Tinggi, refuted claims that the Menteri Besar's statement about refusing to sit with DAP leaders was racist towards the Chinese community in Johor. He clarified that the statement was about DAP as a political party, not an association with the Chinese community. Nordin highlighted that BN components have historically represented the Chinese community and are considered partners. He also welcomed the participation of all political parties, old and new, in the Johor state election, stressing the importance of voters making rational choices for a better future.

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As a country that practices democracy, we welcome it. What is important is that the people need to choose wisely and rationally, which political party can represent them for a better and more prosperous life.