Johor State Assembly to be dissolved on June 22?
JOHOR BAHRU: Anticipation and intense speculation are mounting within political circles over a potential premature dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly. Despite its official mandate running until March or April of next year (2027), rumours suggest the state is bracing for an early election.
A newly released official notification stating that the Johor State Assembly will convene for a single day on June 22 has triggered a flurry of rapid political manoeuvres. Chief among the rumours circulating is that the assembly will be dissolved that very day, triggering an immediate state election. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Gazi (pic) is expected to make the much-awaited announcement to dissolve the Johor State Assembly.
This development follows an earlier announcement by the state chapter of Barisan Nasional (BN) that it intends to contest all 56 state assembly seats independently. However, observers note that while this remains the local chapter’s stance, the final, binding directive can only be issued by the central UMNO leadership.
Adding to the day’s immense political weight, the federal Parliament is also scheduled to convene on the exact same date, June 22.
In light of BN’s independent stance in Johor, the youth wing of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) has urged the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition leadership to dissolve Parliament on June 22 as well, thereby aligning federal polls concurrently with the Johor state elections. In response to the DAP Youth statement, UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh issued a fierce counter-challenge, daring DAP to move forward with dissolving Parliament and other state assemblies under its purview.
Amidst this highly charged atmosphere, separate reports indicate that former Bersatu leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin is expected to launch his political affiliation in mid-June. Media sources quoted that he is likely to lead an existing political party.
Following his expulsion from Bersatu, Hamzah established a movement named ‘RESET’ to consolidate his loyalists. It is widely anticipated that he will officially unveil his new political vehicle during an upcoming RESET event.
This imminent announcement has raised critical questions within the opposition bloc, leaving analysts to wonder whether Perikatan Nasional (PN) and its major partner PAS will sideline the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin-led Bersatu to form a powerful new alliance with Hamzah Zainudin. Hamzah reputedly enjoys the support of the majority of MPs from Bersatu.
