Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, added that the 56 candidates BN will field – consisting of incumbents and new faces – would be finalised soon and revealed a week before nomination day.
Asked if BN would stick to its “WALI” (Winnable, Likeable, and Acceptable) formula for selecting candidates, Zahid said it would, reported local news outlet New Straits Times.
“These three philosophies … will be maintained,” he said.
On May 16, Johor Chief Minister and Johor BN Onn Hafiz Ghazi said that BN would contest all 56 seats.
A day later, Anwar said PH was also prepared to contest all seats in Johor, and warned against BN’s intent to go solo, saying it was akin to threats that could amount to “betrayal” to their unity government partnership and would “negotiate properly” with UMNO president, Zahid.
“Do not threaten us or move toward betrayal,” Anwar said at a PH convention on May 17.
“I will meet the UMNO president and negotiate properly. Why should we fight over it? Where we were lacking, we have helped a lot, helped everyone,” the prime minister said then, adding that he hoped to reach an agreement.
Anwar, however, has yet to meet with Zahid as of last week, reported local news outlet Malaysiakini.
Malaysia’s general election is not due until February 2028.
In Johor’s last polls in March 2022, BN secured a two-thirds majority with 40 of the 56 seats in the state assembly, 33 of which were held by UMNO. Meanwhile, PH won 12 and PN won three.
Johor’s assembly dissolution has sparked speculation that it could pave the way for snap polls in other states including Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Perlis.
On Thursday, Anwar was asked whether he would dissolve parliament and call for a snap general election following the dissolution of the Johor state assembly.
He said that the decision to dissolve a state assembly lies with the respective state government, and said that the federal government remains focused on its agenda and responsibilities.
“I’m focusing on my job. The problem is some of these people don’t think of this. We should focus on the job,” he said after officiating the Energy Transition Conference 2026.
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