Zahid Urges Johor To Remain BN Stronghold As Barisan Nasional Targets Comeback In State Election

KUALA LUMPUR,June, 2026 – Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on Johor to remain a BN stronghold as the coalition seeks to defend its influence in the upcoming Johor state election.

Speaking at the launch of BN’s election machinery for the Parit Yaani and Parit Raja state constituencies in Batu Pahat, Zahid said Johor must continue to serve as an important political base for Barisan Nasional. He said victory in the state election would become a key starting point for Umno and BN’s visible comeback.

Zahid, who is also Umno president, said the party’s strength must be proven through the commitment of its election machinery and grassroots supporters. According to him, a win for BN candidates would help show that the party remains relevant and capable of regaining momentum after facing political challenges in recent years.

He stressed that the success of BN candidates in Johor is not only important for the state election, but also for the wider revival of Umno and Barisan Nasional. Zahid said the party, which is now 80 years old, still has deep roots and must continue to show strength through organised campaign work and strong voter support.

The BN chairman said the effort to restore the coalition’s influence must be carried out across the whole state. He added that the campaign should reflect the continued support of the grassroots, especially in areas where BN has traditionally been strong.

Zahid also addressed criticism from former Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who had claimed that BN was fielding “recycled” candidates. Zahid described the remark as a personal opinion and urged all sides not to prolong the issue.

He said internal disputes should not be allowed to damage party unity or disrupt BN’s campaign momentum. Zahid also advised Umno members and supporters not to respond with counter-attacks if similar criticism continues to be raised.

His message appeared aimed at preventing internal disagreements from overshadowing BN’s election strategy. With polling day approaching, Zahid urged the party machinery to stay focused on winning support from voters instead of engaging in public disputes.

Zahid said any attempt to obstruct BN’s campaign would not shake the loyalty of Johor voters. He described Johor voters as being deeply connected to BN’s political struggle and expressed confidence that the coalition’s support base in the state remains strong.

The Johor state election is expected to be a major test for Barisan Nasional as it seeks to prove that the coalition still has strong influence in one of its key political territories. Johor has long been regarded as an important base for Umno and BN, making the state election highly significant for the coalition’s future direction.

BN’s campaign is expected to focus on party unity, grassroots mobilisation, political stability, and its long-standing relationship with Johor voters. Zahid’s remarks also show that the coalition is positioning the election as part of a broader effort to rebuild confidence in Umno and Barisan Nasional.

Polling for the 16th Johor state election is scheduled for July 11. As the campaign period continues, BN will be working to strengthen its presence across the state while addressing both external political challenges and internal criticism.

The outcome of the election will be closely watched as it could determine whether Barisan Nasional can maintain Johor as one of its strongest political bases and use the victory as a platform for a wider political comeback.