Malaysia: PM-led coalition wins in Johor state election

UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. (Photo: malaysiakini)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – A coalition led by Malaysian PrimeMinister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on March 12 scored a landslide victory in anelection in the southern state of Johor.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance led by the ruling party UnitedMalays National Organisation (UMNO) secured 40 out of 56 Johor state legislatureseats.

This result was beyond expectations, said UMNO president AhmadZahid Hamidi in a victory speech, adding that this is a gift for the people ofJohor.

Malaysia has lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 andallowed automatic voter registration, adding 5.8 million people to theelectoral roll – a 40-percent increase, with new voters making up about a thirdof those registered in Johor.

The Johor state election was triggered in January after JohorChief Minister Hasni Mohammad sought the dissolution of the state assembly withconsent given by the state’s ruler Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar.

Malaysia plans to hold a national poll this year, in July atthe earliest.

Since 2018, Malaysia has had three prime ministers. IsmailSabri Yaakob, UMNO Vice President, has served as Prime Minister since August2021 when the COVID-19 was ravaging the country./.

VNA