Snap polls in Malaysia’s Johor set up clash between Anwar’s ruling allies

PH and BN became uneasy allies after Malaysia’s 2022 general election produced a hung parliament, joining forces to keep the Perikatan Nasional (PN) opposition bloc out of power and give Anwar the numbers to form a government, despite decades as bitter rivals.

Onn Hafiz said he had met Tunku Ismail earlier on Monday and received consent to dissolve the 15th Johor Darul Ta’zim State Legislative Assembly, effective June 1.

He said the dissolution was in line with Johor’s constitution and was intended to return the mandate to voters.

“The dissolution is made to give way to the democratic process through the Johor state election, subject to the official determination by the Election Commission,” he said. “This decision was made with the intention of ensuring that the people of Johor continue to have a stable and strong government.”