JOHOR BARU: Johor MCA is ready to face any possible state election or general election that may take place in the coming months.

       MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who is also the Johor MCA chief, said this when asked about speculation that a state election might be called soon following the passing of former mentri besar and Kempas assemblyman Datuk Osman Sapian, on Dec 21.

       “As it is just a speculation, I will wait for the right moment to comment on it.

       “However, I have told my members that the general election can happen any time between now and the next one-and-a-half years, whether or not anyone has passed on.

       “When the referee blows the whistle, we have to start the game,” he said in a press conference after chairing a two-hour meeting with the Johor MCA liaison committee here yesterday.

       The Transport Minister added that as the 14th general election took place in May 2018, the current term of the ruling coalition would run for another 18 months, at most.

       “MCA will make sure it will do its best, and try our best to win Johor again, just like how we did back then.

       “More voters are expected with the implementation of Undi18, so we will definitely place younger candidates to relate better to the people.

       “Of course, the young candidates must be learned, eligible and trained to provide good service and communicate well with the public,” he said.

       On the talks between Umno and PAS to discuss the allocation of seats for the next general election, Dr Wee said it was both parties’ right to discuss.

       “We leave it up to them to discuss, because at the end of the day, the matter will still be brought to Barisan National.

       “It must be done according to the Barisan Nasional way,” he added.

       Last Saturday, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad said the state government would evaluate the need to conduct a state election following Osman’s death.

       However, he added that the requirement to hold a state election could not be solely based on having a majority of one seat, as the Johor political situation was different from that of Melaka and Sarawak.

       “I will need to meet with the other component party that currently forms the government to get feedback on whether we should hold a state election,” said Hasni.

       “The current government is a bit unstable due to the one-seat majority. Running a by-election is also not an option as Johor assembly Speaker Suhaizan Kayat has said that the current government has been running for more than three years.”

       He said the current government had managed to run the state assembly smoothly and introduce some policies for the people.

       Hasni also said he would be meeting with other assemblymen during a special state assembly sitting on Jan 6 to amend the state constitution in line with Undi18 to lower the voting age and implement the automatic voter registration.

       “We will be looking at this matter (state election) from all angles, and will be getting feedback from all assemblymen on this,” he said.