Johor UMNO Leader Calls For Snap State Election, Opposition PH Push Back

Johor UMNO leader Nur Jazlan has openly called for a snap state election, citing the need for greater political stability as the nation is coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nur Jazlan told Malay Mail that the state would benefit from an experienced administration "without fear of threats from other coalition partners" and "only UMNO and Barisan Nasional can offer this."

• Note that the current Menteri Besar (chief executive) of Johor is a member of UMNO and the Barisan Nasional alliance, but his administration is propped up by the fractious Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional coalition, which commands a razor-thin majority in the state legislature.
• There debate within UMNO whether to call a snap election in Johor in a bid to win more seats in the regional assembly is ongoing, according to recent source reports. Nur Jazlan hit out at factions opposed to the proposal, calling them "conflicted and self-interested."
• The opposition Pakatan Harapan alliance have pushed back against the idea of calling an early poll, pointing to its estimated price tag of MYR150mn. They offered a "stability commitment to ensure that the state government can continue to fully focus on the people's welfare" and pledged willingness to cooperate with the current administration.
• Speculation has been rife that Johor could hold a snap election since the death of a Bersatu (Perikatan Nasional) lawmaker reduce the ruling coalition's majority in the state assembly to just one seat. Rumours have been fuelled by signs of frictions between both federal government coalition partners and different factions within UMNO.