In a statement, Johor PH cited the joint effort between the federal and state governments to reduce congestion at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at the Sultan Iskandar Building and the Johor Causeway.

The electric train service (ETS) project and strategic investments to the state via the investment, trade and industry ministry and federal government agencies were also facilitated by Putrajaya and the state government’s close ties, it said.

“So when Johor BN decided to go solo in the state polls, voters have the right to question if BN sought to benefit from the collaboration with the unity government at the federal level but choose to distance itself during elections,” Johor PH said.

Yesterday, Johor BN chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced the coalition would contest all 56 state seats at the next state polls.

The Johor state assembly will automatically dissolve in April next year if an election is not held before then, after which the polls must be held within 60 days.

BN formed the state government after winning 40 of the 56 seats in the March 2022 election. PH won 12 seats while Perikatan Nasional secured three, and Muda one.

Johor PH said it had anticipated and was prepared for the possibility of BN wanting to go solo.

“We will discuss further with the central leadership on our next course of action.”