Johor Will Remain As BN's Fortress In This Polls

After 14 days of intense campaigning, the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat in Johor are in their last lap to whip up support for their candidates in this crucial election.

Under the election rules, campaigning should stop at midnight Saturday.

Initial feedback showed Johor would always remain as a BN stronghold despite claims on the contrary by Pakatan Rakyat.

They are hell-bent to make a breakthrough in this election as evident from heavyweights like DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub coming to Johor to rattle the state.

Kit Siang is trying his luck in the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat, a BN stronghold, against Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

Salahuddin, who has been all along contesting in Kelantan, has taken a bold decision to take on BN's incumbent Pulai member of parliament Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

BN's hopeful for Kempas state seat Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid said he did not want to dwell on what the PAS-DAP-PKR pact was dreaming about to take control of Johor.

"I want to emphasise on what the BN has done for the people. The BN has delivered what it has promised the masses. I'm confident Johor will continue to remain as BN's bastion. There's no doubt about it," he said.

"I believe the voters will use their wisdom to retain Johor with BN. There's no question about it," said Tengku Putra, who is also Pulai UMNO division deputy head.

Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said the expectation for Johor to remain as a BN stronghold was still high in this election.

"Despite facing tough challenges, Johoreans are still positive of retaining Johor for BN," said the former Kota Tinggi member of parliament, who is not seeking re-election this time.

"Johor is a BN's stronghold. There's no reason why we should be defeated. Even in Gelang Patah, we can win if all of us work together," he said.

He said throughout Ghani's 14-year tenure as menteri besar, he had implemented inclusive policies under which all ethnic groups receive equal help.