Viral Malay phrase 'Onn tak Onn?' signaled BN's landslide win in Johor election

The Johor state election saw an unlikely campaign slogan, 'Onn tak Onn?', emerge as a barometer for voter sentiment towards Barisan Nasional (BN). The phrase, a clever play on the name of BN Johor chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi, translates to 'are we on?' and became a widely used indicator of support.

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Onn tak Onn?

Throughout the two-week campaign, the phrase served as a simple way to gauge voter reception. Locals would respond with a resounding 'Onn!', a thumbs up, or a nod, signaling their alignment with BN. This sentiment was observed even at a fast-food outlet offering free chicken to voters, where a general contractor, initially hesitant, confidently declared 'Onn!' when prompted with the viral phrase.

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Onn!

The appeal of Onn Hafiz Ghazi extended beyond political rallies. Voters noted his hands-on approach to local issues, including surprise spot checks at the Larkin Bus Terminal and prompt responses to traffic congestion and infrastructure problems. His governance was credited with attracting a significant RM110 billion in approved investments for Johor by 2025, though his voter appeal seemed rooted in more tangible, local concerns.

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Times are tough and prices are high, but Onn Hafiz – you can see that he is really a good kid. He walks the ground and does his work well.

By July 8, UMNO and BN had embraced the 'Onn tak Onn' trend, dubbing it a 'phenomenon.' UMNO secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki stated that the trend demonstrated voters' familiarity and confidence in Onn Hafiz and his executive council, two-thirds of whom are under 40.

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Wherever you go, this ‘Onn tak Onn’ phenomenon is real. It shows that people know the Menteri Besar and his executive councillors, about two-thirds of whom are under th