JOHOR BARU: The guessing game over snap polls in the state continues with Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad still refusing to be drawn into naming a date while stressing that the idea cannot be rejected at this juncture.

       He said that with the razor-thin one-seat majority, the state government needed to be extra careful and sensitive to ensure that all its programmes could be carried out smoothly for the people.

       “If there are groups that make the stability of the state government a condition for them to invest or expand their investments here, for sure I will need to find a way so that this does not drive them away.

       “So, I cannot reject the need to have a state election. I need to study and look into the matter.

       “The voices of people from all quarters cannot fall on deaf ears,” he said after attending the launch of the AirAsia Super App at Johor Baru City Square here yesterday.

       Asked if the state election would happen soon after Chinese New Year next month, Hasni merely smiled.

       He said that it was more important to know the justification for the election.

       “What is important is why the state election needs to be held and not when it should be held.

       “We have rules and regulations to follow.

       “I can’t simply tell the Johor Sultan (Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar) to dissolve the state assembly.

       “I can’t do that at my whim and fancy. We have a constitution that needs to be followed,” he added.

       Asked if Umno had held a meeting to discuss the election, Hasni said no.

       Talks of an impending state election gained traction after the death of Kempas assemblyman Datuk Osman Sapian of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia recently, leaving the current Umno-led government with a one-seat majority at the Johor state assembly.