JOHOR BARU: Umno has no plans to field “political frogs” from other parties as candidates in the Johor state election, says caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad.

       While this kind of situation had happened before in Sabah and Melaka, it would not be the “Johor way” to have these former assemblymen to contest under the Barisan Nasional ticket, he added.

       “I will personally not have frogs as candidates in this state election,” he said in an interview.

       As a party which supports the anti-hopping law, he said Barisan was not interested in asking opposition candidates to “jump over” just for the sake of strengthening Barisan’s seats in the state government.

       “I intend to include anti-hopping rules in our state election manifesto in support of the anti-hopping law when we become the government again.

       “This will be the main agenda to be tabled at the state assembly,” said Hasni.

       He said the two state assemblymen who quit Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia did it on their own accord and neither Umno nor Barisan had played a role in their move.

       In GE14, Umno contested in 35 seats and won 17 seats. However, three of its assemblymen jumped to Bersatu.

       Talk has been rife that one or two former Bersatu state executive councillors who left the party recently could be contesting under the Barisan ticket in the state election. Hasni supports any move by the party to get all candidates to agree to pay a hefty fine if they leave the party after the election.

       “We did it during the Melaka election and it will be good to have the same principle here,” he added.

       The Star had earlier reported that local leaders were hoping that their parties would look for fresh faces instead of allowing political frogs to contest in the Johor election.

       This comes amid talk that some incumbents who defected to other parties after GE14 may be named as candidates.

       Meanwhile, when asked about Barisan’s manifesto for this election, Hasni said it was being drawn up but the main element would touch on stability.

       “I want to assure Johoreans of a stable future for everyone in the state for the next five years,” he said, adding that it was important to bring back the state to its “glory days”.

       Hasni also stressed on the importance of having representatives from all races in the state government.

       “I feel it is important to have Malays, Chinese and Indian representatives in the state administration,” he said.