Onn Hafiz defends Johor BN’s no-DAP stance, says politics should not be conflated with race

KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — Johor caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has defended his insistence that Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) would not cooperate with DAP if returned to power, arguing that political disagreements with the party should not be conflated with race.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with New Straits Times (NST), Onn Hafiz said DAP was a political party rather than a racial group, rejecting accusations that his recent remarks had alienated the Chinese community ahead of the upcoming Johor state election.

“DAP is not a race. DAP is a political party that is perhaps seen as championing matters relating to the Chinese community.

“It is not just DAP that has been championing and looking after the welfare and interests of the Chinese community.

“MCA is there for the Chinese community, too,” he said.

The remarks came days after Onn Hafiz, at the launch of Johor BN’s election machinery, declared that he would rather forgo political office than “sit at the same table” with DAP, adding that BN would not work with the party if given a fresh mandate in Johor.

Onn Hafiz’s remarks have attracted scrutiny because they contrast with the cooperation between BN and DAP at the federal level, although Johor BN has maintained that its political decisions are determined independently.

The statement drew criticism from DAP leaders, as BN and DAP continue to serve together in the federal unity government.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke responded with a pointed social media post featuring a photograph of himself seated next to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi — BN chairman and Umno president — during a Cabinet meeting.

“Your president sits next to the DAP secretary-general every week... Just so you know… thank you!” Loke wrote on Facebook.

Onn Hafiz dismissed the criticism, saying his earlier remarks had been figurative rather than literal.

“They made jokes, saying that in Putrajaya, we (BN and DAP) can sit at the same table, but in Johor we cannot sit at the same table.

“When I say tidak duduk semeja, it is figurative speech. Ask a language expert what kiasan means.

“We are not speaking literally. We are referring to forming a government.

“If Johor BN is given the mandate by the people, we will continue what we have done in the past four years. Meaning it will be 100 per cent Barisan Nasional.”

Onn Hafiz also defended his administration’s record of serving all communities under the Bangsa Johor concept, saying the state government’s policies had benefited Johoreans regardless of race or political affiliation.

“For the past four years, we have done many things and helped resolve issues faced not only by the Malay community, but also the Chinese and Indian communities.

“The state government has spent about RM50 million on the Chinese community and RM40 million on the Indian community. I will continue to look after the welfare and interests of all four million people in Johor.

“What have the leaders from the other side done for the people in Johor? They incite the Chinese community and say I am racist.”

He said his decision to speak openly about Johor BN’s political direction was rooted in what he described as the aspirations of Bangsa Johor.

“We hear and we are aware of what Bangsa Johor want. If I ignore them, I would be a leader who does not listen, does not see or does not feel the pulse of the people.

“As a responsible leader who represents BN, I made that statement because that is what I believe and that is what the majority of Bangsa Johor want.”

Addressing Johor’s Chinese electorate directly, Onn Hafiz urged voters to judge him by his administration’s track record rather than what he described as attempts by political opponents to twist his remarks.

“I hope the Chinese community do not fall for the other side because I see their strategy has two parts. One, incite. Second, promise the moon and the stars.”

The remarks come as Johor prepares for a closely watched state election.

Election Commission chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun has confirmed that Johoreans will head to the polls on July 11, with nomination day set for June 27 and early voting on July 7.