KUALA LUMPUR: Being able to form a stable government representing all races is Barisan Nasional’s objective in the upcoming Johor state election, says Datuk Chong Sin Woon.

       The MCA secretary-general said this aspiration was discussed during his meeting on Wednesday with Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Johor Barisan chief Datuk Hasni Mohammad.

       “They are hoping for support from all races to form a strong and stable government that is also multiculturally-diverse at the same time,” said Chong.

       Chong said more new faces will be fielded as Barisan candidates in the upcoming Johor state election, but emphasised that Barisan will use a different strategy from the previous Melaka state election.

       “Each election is different and there isn’t one formula that can be used in all elections. We will craft a specific strategy for Johor,” added Chong.

       During the Melaka election last November, 24 out of the 28 candidates fielded by Barisan were fresh faces.

       Barisan subsequently captured Melaka with a landslide victory of winning 21 out of 28 state seats, securing a two-thirds majority in the state assembly.

       Meanwhile, Chong said Johor voters must make the right choice at the ballot box to ensure political stability and economic development.

       He noted development in Johor including the High Speed Rail (HSR) was previously disrupted.

       “So, we hope Barisan can return to form a stable government and ensure a better economy for the people,” he told reporters at a press conference at MCA’s headquarters in KL yesterday.

       The HSR project from KL to Singapore was initially proposed by the Barisan Nasional government in 2010 and Singapore agreed to jointly undertake the project in 2013.

       On Jan 1, 2021, Malaysia and Singapore jointly announced the termination of the HSR project as both countries failed to reach an agreement on changes proposed by Malaysia before the project agreement lapsed on Dec 31, 2020.

       Chong also said following the death of Kempas Bersatu assemblyman Datuk Osman Sapian last month, the Johor government only had a 28-seat majority in the 56-seat state assembly.

       “We don’t want an unstable government to continue administering Johor because many programmes cannot be implemented,” he said.The Johor state assembly was dissolved on Jan 22.

       The former state government led by Barisan had a simple majority of 28 (Barisan 16, Bersatu 11, PAS one) seats compared to Pakatan’s 27 following the death of the Kempas assemblyman last month.

       The EC will have a special meeting on Feb 9 to decide on key dates and matters on the Johor state election, namely polling day and nomination day.