JOHOR BAHRU (July 11): Barisan Nasional (BN) on Saturday claimed a commanding victory in the Johor state election, projecting that it had secured more than 40 of the 56 seats contested.

At the time of writing, the unofficial tally from the Election Commission showed BN securing 30 seats, while Pakatan Harapan won two. A party or coalition needs at least 29 of the 56 seats to secure a simple majority and form the state government.

BN entered the election with confidence, banking on voter support for the incumbent state administration led by caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi described the result as not only a victory for the coalition but also a personal endorsement of Onn Hafiz's leadership.

"This victory reflects the efficiency of the Johor administration and the progress achieved over the past four and a half years," Zahid said, adding that the Johor government would continue working closely with the federal unity government in Putrajaya to accelerate development projects and generate greater economic benefits for the state.

"With this victory, we hope all Johoreans will come together again, put aside our political differences and move forward in unity. We hope Johor will become the most developed state in Malaysia.

"We also hope this victory will trigger a 'blue wave' in other states. God willing, we will soon face the Negeri Sembilan state election, followed by Melaka, and after that, the next general election," Zahid said.

The Johor election was closely watched nationally as BN and PH contested against one another across the state despite remaining partners in the federal unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Throughout the two-week campaign, BN focused heavily on community programmes, walkabouts and grassroots engagement, relying on its long-established machinery and Onn Hafiz's record in government to secure another mandate.

That contrasted sharply with PH, which deployed Anwar, Cabinet ministers and senior party leaders across Johor in an effort to boost turnout among younger voters, Chinese-majority constituencies and fence-sitters. PH campaigned on the premise that Johor would benefit from closer political alignment between the state and federal administrations.

Meanwhile, Onn Hafiz reminded newly elected BN assemblymen that the coalition's mandate extends beyond those who voted for BN. "We have been entrusted with a huge responsibility. This mandate is to serve all Bangsa Johor, regardless of whether they supported us or not," he said.

Pledging that the incoming administration would serve all communities fairly, he urged Johoreans to unite now that the polls have concluded.

"The state election is over. Our responsibility now is to build the Johor that we all aspire to achieve together," he said before ending his speech with his signature rallying cry, "Maju Johor".

Find out all you need to know about the 2026 Johor election here.