Pakatan takes BN fortress of Johor

MB Mohamed Khaled, Umno strongman Shahrir, Health Minister Dr Subramaniam among the victims

JOHOR BARU: Pakatan Harapan has pulled off a major upset in GE14 by wresting the Barisan Nasional fortress of Johor.

At press time, the Opposition grouping officially passed the 29 seats required to form the new state government.

Johor has 56 state and 26 parliamentary seats.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin lost his Permas state seat to a Parti Pribumi Bersatu candidate from Pakatan by 8,746 votes and the Pasir Gudang parliamentary seat by 24,726 votes.

The other big Barisan leaders who fell included six-term Johor Baru MP Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam in Segamat, MCA vice-president Datuk Chua Tee Yong in Labis and Datuk Razali Ibrahim in Muar.

At press time, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong managed to retain his Ayer Hitam parliamentary seat by 303 votes, fending off the challenge from Johor DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong in what was one of the main battles of GE14.

Pribumi president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin successfully defended his Pagoh parliamentary seat and won the Gambir state seat.

He is being touted as the possible next Johor MB, a post he once held previously.

Parti Amanah Negara deputy president Salahuddin Ayub, who won the Sg Abong state seat, is also being touted as the next MB.

The Election Commission, which earlier withheld the results of all 82 seats in Johor, began announcing the results at about 11.25pm with the Barisan victories in the Kota Tinggi and Pengerang parliamentary seats.

PKR’s Akmal Nasir trounced Shahrir by a majority of 19,782 votes.

The voter turnout in the state was 74.57%, against 86.96% in GE13.

PAS was the biggest loser in the state as it lost most of the 60 seats contested.

Even party state commissioner Abdullah Hussin failed to defend his Puteri Wangsa state seat and was defeated in the Tebrau parliamentary seat.

Names being touted to be mentri besar from Pakatan Harapan are Muhyiddin and Parti Amanah Negara deputy president Salahuddin Ayub.

Both sides are expected to have a press conference today.