Johor bahru: Candidates for the Johor state election were chosen based on merit and experience rather than at random, DAP deputy national chairman Nga Kor Ming said today. He emphasized that each candidate had been thoroughly vetted to ensure that only individuals with exemplary track records were being fielded.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nga stated, "These candidates have cleared multiple rounds of vetting because we want to offer nothing but the best to Bangsa Johor because we care about Johor." He made these remarks while speaking to reporters at the Sentuhan Kasih 4.0 community programme under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) at Flat Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Skudai.

Nga was addressing concerns over Pakatan Harapan's (PH) strategy of introducing a considerable number of new faces in the upcoming 16th Johor state polls. Present at the event was J. Kartiyani, PH's candidate for the Skudai state seat.

Nga highlighted that although it is her first time contesting an election, the Skudai candidate is experienced in community work. "She is a Skudai native who was born, raised, and educated locally before pursuing a law degree at University Malaya," he said. He further added that she has been active in the area for over a decade and is anticipated to effectively represent the people's voice and serve as a vital link between the local community and the federal government.

Nga expressed confidence that the Johor people would make the right choice for both the state and the country, while continuing to uphold democracy through active participation in the election. The Election Commission has scheduled nomination day for June 27, with early voting on July 7, ahead of polling day on July 11.

The Johor State Legislative Assembly has 56 seats. Prior to its dissolution, Barisan Nasional (BN) held 40 seats, followed by PH with 12, Perikatan Nasional with three, and MUDA with one.