Pakatan Harapan (PH) has unveiled its complete list of candidates for all 56 Johor state seats, presenting a blend of experienced political leaders, former ministers, party organisers and fresh faces ahead of the July 11 state election.
PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim announced the line-up at Padang Bukit Gambir, describing the candidates as representatives entrusted with carrying the people’s mandate under the coalition’s campaign slogan, “Johor ke depan” (Johor Forward).
The candidate list reflects PH’s effort to combine national-level experience with strong local representation across urban, semi-urban and rural constituencies.
Blend of experience and new faces
Among the notable candidates is former education minister Maszlee Malik, who will contest Puteri Wangsa. Former Pulai assemblyman Suhaizan Kaiat has been fielded in Larkin, bringing experience as a former Johor legislative assembly speaker from 2018 to 2022.
Other prominent names include former Johor executive councillor Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar in Semerah, while Andrew Chen Kah Eng will defend Stulang and Arthur Chiong Sen Sern will contest Bukit Batu.
The line-up also features incumbent and emerging candidates such as Wong Bor Yang in Senai, Lee Wern Yiing in Johor Jaya and Alan Tee Boon Tsong in Perling.
Seat allocation reflects coalition strategy
PH’s electoral arrangement highlights a structured division of responsibilities among its component parties. PKR has been allocated 29 seats, making it the coalition’s main contesting party across mixed and swing constituencies.
DAP will contest 17 seats, primarily in urban strongholds, while Amanah has been assigned 10 Malay-majority constituencies concentrated in southern and rural areas.
DAP’s line-up includes seven women candidates: Ng Kor Sim in Jementah, Elia Nadira Sabudin in Tenang, Soraya Badaruddin in Sungai Balang, Felicia Poh Rui Ling in Penggaram, Chu Poh Yee in Mengkibol, Yong Hui Yi in Yong Peng and Teo Siew Hui in Permas.
Following the retirement of former Skudai assemblyman Marina Ibrahim, PH has nominated J. Kartiyaini to contest the seat.
Focus on statewide challenge
Skudai remains one of PH’s key urban strongholds and is expected to be among the coalition’s most closely watched battlegrounds due to its large voter base and competitive electoral landscape.
The seat distribution reflects a coordinated coalition strategy aimed at maintaining support in urban centres while expanding its reach into semi-urban and rural constituencies.
Although Anwar did not announce a candidate for the post of menteri besar, Maszlee has been widely speculated as a possible choice. However, he dismissed the speculation, saying the matter had never been discussed and had not arisen in party deliberations.
Political observers view the candidate line-up as a three-pronged strategy, with DAP consolidating urban support, PKR targeting mixed and swing seats, and Amanah focusing on rural Malay-majority constituencies.
The Johor election is expected to serve as an important test of PH’s strength in the southern state as the coalition seeks to strengthen its political position across Johor.
