JOHOR BARU: Machap assemblyman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi is tipped to be Johor's next mentri besar.

       The swearing-in of the 44-year-old Onn Hafiz as mentri besar is expected to be carried out at about 3pm Tuesday (March 15) at Istana Bukit Serene.

       It is learnt that Benut assemblyman Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi are also expected to be present at the event.

       Barisan Nasional campaigned in the state elections with Hasni as its MB candidate.

       However, talk was rife that Hasni would have been replaced following a meeting between top Umno leaders and Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar on Monday (March 14).

       Hasni had also, on Monday, called for a younger person to be nominated as mentri besar, an indication that he was not in the running for the post.

       The names of Hasni, Umno supreme council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi and Onn Hafiz, grandson of Umno founder Datuk Onn Jaafar, are reported to have been shortlisted for the mentri besar's post.

       More to come