Johor Assembly Dissolved, Snap Polls Within 60 Days

Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Johor's Chief Minister.

JOHOR BAHRU, 1 June 2026 (CNA) - The Johor state assembly has been officially dissolved, paving the way for elections that must take place by July 31, 2026.

At a press conference in Johor Bahru, Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that the dissolution was signed by Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, with the consent of Malaysia’s King and Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar. He emphasized that the move was intended to ensure a stable government and allow the democratic process to proceed.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition currently controls 40 of the 56 seats, while Pakatan Harapan (PH) holds 12, Perikatan Nasional (PN) three, and the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance one. Although BN and PH cooperate at the federal level, they remain rivals in Johor, setting the stage for a fierce contest.

All three coalitions—BN, PH, and PN—have declared plans to contest every seat, raising the likelihood of three-way battles across the state. Analysts suggest BN is confident of retaining its two-thirds majority, especially as PN faces internal disputes and PH grapples with internal controversies.

Political observers note that the Johor polls could be a crucial test of strength ahead of Malaysia’s next general election, due by early 2028.