Pakatan Harapan (PH) does not need to name an election ‘poster boy’ to improve its chances in the Johor state election, according to a political analyst, following a challenge from Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi for the coalition to reveal the face of its campaign.
Political analyst Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said naming a poster boy could demonstrate PH’s readiness to lead the state government, but it could also create complications if that individual is ultimately not appointed menteri besar.
Royal consent remains key
Mazlan said the Sultan of Johor has constitutional discretion in appointing the menteri besar, meaning a candidate proposed by a political party may not necessarily receive royal consent.
“Someone named as a poster boy may believe he is the menteri besar candidate if his party wins the majority of seats. But if the sultan does not accept his candidacy, this could create problems.
“Maybe PH is being strategic by not naming a poster boy. Let the menteri besar be decided after the election, with the sultan’s consent,” he said.
He pointed to the 2022 Johor state election, when then-state Umno chief Hasni Mohammad led BN’s campaign but was not appointed menteri besar. Instead, Onn Hafiz was chosen by the sultan.
Recently, Onn Hafiz challenged PH to name its poster boy, saying voters had the right to know who the coalition would propose as its menteri besar candidate.
However, he also acknowledged that being the poster boy did not guarantee the post, as royal consent remained the deciding factor.
Analysts see political considerations
PKR vice-president Zaliha Mustafa questioned Onn Hafiz’s remarks, saying he should not be concerned about PH’s choice because the coalition has many capable leaders who could lead the state.
Meanwhile, Lau Zhe Wei of the International Islamic University of Malaysia said naming a poster boy would help voters identify the coalition’s potential leader.
“As an outsider, I’d prefer to have a poster boy. At least I would know who the menteri besar-in-waiting is,” he said.
However, Lau said it was politically safer for PH not to announce a poster boy because of the uncertainty surrounding the appointment process.
He also noted that Perikatan Nasional has faced internal debates over which of its leaders should be its candidate for prime minister.
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