JOHOR BARU: Barisan Nasional is fielding over 70% new faces in the Johor state election.

       More than 80% of its candidates are also below 55 years old and with high academic qualifications, said Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

       He said the team could become the game-changer and bring new hope to Johor.

       “We looked into several criteria with the concept of winnability, acceptability and likeability.

       “This team is a combination of new and old faces who have experience and they will give new hope to the people in Johor, especially new voters,” he said at the event to announce the candidates at Johor Umno headquarters here yesterday.

       Johor Umno chief Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad is leading the Barisan team and will defend his Benut seat while former senior executive council (exco) member Datuk Samsolbari Jamali will defend the Semarang seat.

       Another former exco member, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, has been moved from Layang Layang to contest the Machap seat.

       Among the prominent names who will be contesting in the March 12 polls are Umno supreme council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi (Rengit) and senator Jefridin Atan (Kukup).

       Hasni, who is Barisan’s mentri besar candidate, said Umno was contesting 37 seats while MCA would be contesting in 15 and MIC in four seats.

       “Umno is contesting two extra seats that were previously contested by Gerakan,” he said, adding that no seat was allocated to friends of Barisan.

       The list of candidates also saw eight seats being swapped among the three parties.

       These are Gambir which previously was contested by MIC, Pulai Sebatang (MCA), Parit Yaani (MCA), Skudai (MIC), Kemelah (Umno) and Puteri Wangsa (Umno). The other two seats are Bukit Batu and Pemanis, previously contested by Gerakan.

       Umno is contesting in Gambir, Pulai Sebatang, Parit Yaani and Pemanis while MCA is contesting in Skudai and Puteri Wangsa. MIC has been given the Kemelah and Bukit Batu seats.

       MIC vice-president Datuk M. Asojan thanked Barisan for listening to its views on seat allocations.

       He said the four seats given to MIC – Kahang, Tenggaroh, Bukit Batu and Kemelah – were rural seats with several Felda settlements where Barisan had the core support.