BN to mobilise full election machinery for twin state polls, says Zambry

JOHOR BAHRU, June 14 — Barisan Nasional (BN) will mobilise its entire election machinery to face the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state polls, its secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said.

He said the move was aimed at securing BN victories in both state elections.

“The decision was made at the coalition’s annual general meeting that was chaired by its chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“During the meeting, we were briefed on the preparations for the respective state elections by the Johor Menteri Besar (Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi) and the Negeri Sembilan BN chairman (Datuk Seri Jalaludin Alias).

“The meeting also expressed the full commitment and consensus of the BN leadership in strengthening the party, ensuring the country’s political stability and planning the best strategy to face coming elections,” he told reporters after the meeting at the Johor Umno headquarters here last night.

Also present were state and national leaders from BN component parties Umno, MCA, MIC and PPP.

Zambry, who is also an Umno supreme council member, said BN would continue to promote unity among its component parties, including affiliated groups such as Friends of BN, to ensure political stability.

He said it was important for BN to build an administration that the people could continue to trust.

“During the meeting, we also agreed that BN will contest using a common logo which is the symbolic balance scales in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state polls.

“We also discussed bolstering the BN direct membership agenda to attract the participation of professionals, young people and also the general public,” he said.

Zambry, who is also the higher education minister, said BN would continue supporting the unity government.

He added that BN remained committed to ensuring national stability, increasing investor confidence and realising the development agenda until the current administration’s term ends.

The Election Commission (EC) on Friday announced the polling dates for the upcoming state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.

Johor voters will head to the polls on July 11, with nomination day scheduled for June 27 and early voting taking place on July 7.

Negeri Sembilan will follow shortly after, with polling day set for August 1. Nomination day has been set for July 18, followed by early voting on July 28.