JOHOR BARU: Johor may or may not see a snap election as the current administration is currently holding on to a slim majority, says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad (pic).

       The Benut assemblyman, who is also the state Umno chief, said he needs to look at his administration’s current position where it is holding on to a mere one-seat majority, but he neither denied nor confirmed speculation that he will call a snap election soon.

       “There are some quarters that claimed that there will be a state election and have given a date, but as far as I remember, as the Mentri Besar, I have never made any official announcement,” Hasni said after attending the Johor Entrepreneurs Award 2020 event here yesterday.

       He was asked to address speculation that a state election would be held following the passing of former mentri besar Datuk Osman Sapian on Dec 21 last year.

       Hasni said the state government needs to look if there were any changes in support and agenda that required the support of the state assembly.

       He added that he would always take a step-by-step approach in coming to a decision, including if a state election needs to be called.

       “At present, there is no issue, with support coming from allied parties within the government bloc.”

       The Umno-led government in Johor has a simple majority, with 28 seats against Pakatan Harapan’s 27, while one seat was left vacant after the passing of Osman, who was Kempas assemblyman.

       Currently, the state government consists of Umno (14 seats), MIC (two), PAS (one) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (11), while the Opposition comprises DAP (14), Amanah (six) and PKR (seven).