Datuk Seri Dr. Zahid Highlights Unity with Chinese Community During Visit to Tangkak

TANGKAK, July 8 — Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has reaffirmed the importance of preserving unity among Johor's multiracial communities, saying political stability and mutual respect are key to the state's continued progress. In a statement following his engagement with members of the Chinese community in Tangkak, Zahid said he was encouraged by the positive reception and the opportunity to hear directly from residents about their aspirations and views. He said some residents expressed pride in Johor's development and prosperity, while others shared their perspectives on issues affecting the state. According to Zahid, the interactions reflected the strength of the Bangsa Johor spirit, where people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds continue to live in harmony while sharing a common goal of ensuring Johor remains stable, progressive and capable of creating more opportunities for future generations. He stressed that Johor's diversity should continue to be a source of strength, adding that politics should unite communities rather than divide them. Zahid said mature and stable politics are essential to sustaining development that benefits all segments of society. He also expressed his appreciation to the Chinese community in Tangkak for welcoming him, expressing hope that the spirit of togetherness would continue to strengthen Johor's unity and contribute to the state's future development ahead of the 16th Johor State Election (PRU16). -- MINUTESMY

TANGKAK, July 8 — Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has reaffirmed the importance of preserving unity among Johor’s multiracial communities, saying political stability and mutual respect are key to the state’s continued progress. In a statement following his engagement with members of the Chinese community in Tangkak, Zahid said […]

PH’s Cheah Eyes RTS, JS-SEZ to Drive Kukup’s Tourism and Economic Growth

PONTIAN, July 8 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for Kukup, Cheah Chee Hong, has outlined plans to position the coastal constituency as a key beneficiary of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), saying both initiatives could unlock new opportunities for tourism and local businesses. Cheah said Kukup, known as the southernmost tip of mainland Asia, is well-placed to capitalise on the expected increase in visitors travelling through Johor from Singapore once the RTS Link becomes operational. He noted that the journey from Johor Bahru to Kukup takes about an hour, making the destination easily accessible to both local and international tourists seeking seafood, coastal attractions, and nature-based experiences. However, Cheah stressed that transforming Kukup into a thriving tourism destination requires more than promotional campaigns. He said long-standing infrastructure issues must first be addressed to improve the overall visitor experience and quality of life for residents. If elected in the Johor state election on July 11, Cheah pledged to prioritise the upgrading of basic infrastructure, including widening roads, improving street lighting, enhancing telecommunications coverage with better 5G connectivity, and strengthening waste management services. He also proposed introducing a more systematic waste collection programme by appointing more efficient contractors to ensure cleaner public spaces. To further boost tourism, Cheah said he hopes to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to develop a more organised and comprehensive promotional strategy for Kukup, rather than relying solely on social media campaigns. In addition, he proposed establishing a large night market near the Kukup International Ferry Terminal with between 100 and 200 stalls dedicated to local entrepreneurs. According to Cheah, the initiative would not only attract more visitors but also create greater business opportunities for residents by supporting local vendors and small businesses. "I want to create business opportunities, not just jobs," he said. Cheah will face Barisan Nasional candidate Israk Abdullah in the contest for the Kukup state seat. He also called on Johoreans living or working in Singapore to return home and cast their ballots on polling day, saying every vote would help shape Johor's future.  -- MINUTESMY 

PONTIAN, July 8 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for Kukup, Cheah Chee Hong, has outlined plans to position the coastal constituency as a key beneficiary of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), saying both initiatives could unlock new opportunities for tourism and local businesses. Cheah said Kukup, known […]

Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan Confident Barisan Nasional Will Retain Kukup Seat

PONTIAN, 7 July — Barisan Nasional Deputy Chairman Mohamad Hasan expressed confidence that Barisan Nasional (BN) will retain the Kukup state seat in the Johor state election. Mohamad said he began the day by visiting the polling district operations centre at Parit Rambai in the N.57 Kukup state constituency, located within the Tanjung Piai parliamentary constituency, where he had breakfast with election workers, local residents and BN's Kukup candidate, Israk Abdullah. He said the visit was aimed at boosting the morale of campaign workers and showing support for the party's grassroots machinery ahead of polling. Mohamad expressed optimism that BN would be able to retain the N.56 Kukup state seat, noting that the coalition secured the constituency with a majority of more than 8,000 votes in the 2022 Johor state election. -- MINUTESMY

PONTIAN, 7 July — Barisan Nasional Deputy Chairman Mohamad Hasan expressed confidence that Barisan Nasional (BN) will retain the Kukup state seat in the Johor state election. Mohamad said he began the day by visiting the polling district operations centre at Parit Rambai in the N.57 Kukup state constituency, located within the Tanjung Piai parliamentary […]

Datuk Seri Dr. Zahid Urges Johor Early Voters to Fulfil Civic Duty Responsibly

JOHOR BAHRU, July 7 – Barisan Nasional Chairman Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on all early voters and security personnel participating in the 2026 Johor state election to carry out their voting responsibilities with a strong sense of duty and responsibility. In a message shared in conjunction with the early voting process, Zahid encouraged voters to exercise their democratic right wisely by making the best choice for the stability, progress, and future of Johor. He stressed that every vote carries an important responsibility in determining the state's direction and urged voters to fulfil the trust placed in them through the democratic process. Zahid also expressed his hopes that the entire early voting process would proceed smoothly, peacefully, and in an orderly manner. He concluded by praying for the safety and well-being of all those involved, expressing hope that the voting process would be eased and blessed. -- MINUTESMY

JOHOR BAHRU, July 7 – Barisan Nasional Chairman Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on all early voters and security personnel participating in the 2026 Johor state election to carry out their voting responsibilities with a strong sense of duty and responsibility. In a message shared in conjunction with the early voting process, […]

Datuk Onn Hafiz Urges Early Voters to Back BN for Johor’s Continued Progress

JOHOR BAHRU, July 7 – Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi today extended his best wishes to all early voters participating in the 16th Johor State Election, describing the voting process as a crucial responsibility in determining the state's future. In a message to early voters, Onn Hafiz said every vote cast carries hope and will help shape whether the stability, development and progress achieved in Johor over the years can continue. He called on eligible voters to place their trust in Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates, saying the coalition remained committed to ensuring political stability, accelerating development and safeguarding the welfare of the people of Johor. Onn Hafiz expressed confidence that, if given the mandate, BN would continue to serve the people with dedication and fulfil the trust placed in the coalition. He also prayed for the early voting process to proceed smoothly, safely and in an orderly manner, while encouraging voters to fulfil their democratic responsibility. The Johor Menteri Besar concluded his message by rallying support for Barisan Nasional ahead of polling day, expressing hope that the coalition would be given the opportunity to continue leading the state. -- MINUTESMY

JOHOR BAHRU, July 7 – Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi today extended his best wishes to all early voters participating in the 16th Johor State Election, describing the voting process as a crucial responsibility in determining the state’s future. In a message to early voters, Onn Hafiz said every vote cast carries hope […]

Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan Meets Kota Iskandar Voters, Strengthens BN Campaign

ISKANDAR PUTERI, July 7 – Barisan Nasional (BN) Deputy Chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan continued his Johor state election campaign today by attending a casual meet-and-greet session with voters in the N.49 Kota Iskandar state constituency. The programme, held at the Lima Kedai Polling District Centre (PDM), was also attended by Barisan Nasional's Kota Iskandar candidate, Datuk Pandak Ahmad. Mohamad's visit was aimed at engaging directly with local voters while demonstrating support for the party's campaign machinery and candidate ahead of polling day. During the programme, he interacted with residents, listened to their concerns and views, and shared BN's commitment to delivering development and improving the well-being of the people of Johor. The event was held in a friendly atmosphere, with supporters and local residents taking the opportunity to meet the party leadership and its candidate. -- MINUTESMY

ISKANDAR PUTERI, July 7 – Barisan Nasional (BN) Deputy Chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan continued his Johor state election campaign today by attending a casual meet-and-greet session with voters in the N.49 Kota Iskandar state constituency. The programme, held at the Lima Kedai Polling District Centre (PDM), was also attended by Barisan Nasional’s Kota Iskandar […]

BN’s Pandak to put focus on housing, roads and clinics

PRINCESS ISKANDAR, July 6 -- Pandak Ahmad, the Barisan Nasional candidate in Kota Iskandar, has pledged to accelerate affordable housing projects, improve road infrastructure, and push for the construction of a health clinic if he is re-elected to the Kota Iskandar seat at the July 11 Johor polls. Housing, jobs and the rising cost of living have emerged as the defining issues in the battle for Kota Iskandar, home to Forest City and part of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone as candidates offer competing visions for one of Johor’s fastest-growing areas. Pandak said his priorities reflected the concerns consistently raised by residents throughout his campaign. He also said voters wanted political stability. He contends that Johor’s multicultural society had benefited from an administration that serves all communities under the “Bangsa Johor” concept.  “People want to live in peace and prosperity. They want jobs and housing. When they face problems, it is our responsibility as elected representatives to become the bridge between the people and the government,” he said. Pandak said Johor’s ambition of becoming a developed state by 2030 would generate more jobs and business opportunities for residents. He pointed to Forest City as an example, saying the township had shed its reputation as a “ghost city” following the launch of the JS-SEZ and the Forest City Special Financial Zone. Umno, BN leaders can’t be arrogant Reflecting on BN’s defeat in the 2018 general election, Pandak acknowledged that the coalition had made mistakes by failing to properly explain issues such as the 1MDB scandal to the public. “The lesson we learned is that Umno and BN leaders must not be arrogant. We have to go to the ground, engage with the people and listen to them closely.” He said the experience had prompted BN to place greater emphasis on grassroots engagement, with all 56 candidates campaigning directly among voters to rebuild public confidence. The Kota Iskandar seat is a four-cornered fight involving BN's Pandak, Pakatan Harapan's Dzulkefly Ahmad, Perikatan Nasional's Anna Pravina and Bersama's Sahrudin Omar. Pandak won the seat in 2022 with 23,133 votes for a 4,360-vote majority over Dzulkefly, who held the seat from 2018 to 2022. Cost of living tops PN’s agenda Anna said the cost of living remained the dominant concern among voters she had met. Her priority, if elected, would be to ease the people’s financial burden while ensuring that they benefited from the state’s economic growth. Anna said many young Johoreans continued to leave for Singapore because they believed better salaries and career prospects were available across the Causeway. “We need to help ease the cost of living and improve opportunities for local people,” she said. “They want good jobs, better salaries and a secure future. I want to create enough opportunities so they can build their future in Johor.”  -- SOURCE : Minderjeet Kaur   -- CREDIT : FREEMALAYSIATODAY 

  PRINCESS ISKANDAR, July 6 — Pandak Ahmad, the Barisan Nasional candidate in Kota Iskandar, has pledged to accelerate affordable housing projects, improve road infrastructure, and push for the construction of a health clinic if he is re-elected to the Kota Iskandar seat at the July 11 Johor polls. Housing, jobs and the rising cost […]