JOHOR BARU, Nov 30 — Johor Umno deputy chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed has today signalled the end of his political career and also serving the Pulai constituency, following his recent defeat in the 15th general election (GE15).

The outspoken Barisan Nasional (BN) politician said based on the GE15 results, his dream of resuming serving Pulai as its MP, a role that he has undertaken in the past 20 years, has come to an end.

"The majority of the people of Pulai have decided to continue (their support) with the previous incumbent, so I will leave all responsibilities to the re-elected representative to defend the constituents' fate.

"Even in my capacity as the Perling state assembly coordinating committee chairman, I have tried my best to service the people of Pulai, especially in the Perling area during the leadership of previous mentri besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad.

"However, it seems that the majority of the people do not see that,” said Nur Jazlan in a Facebook post.

The former three-term Pulai parliamentarian and also deputy minister was responding to his GE15 defeat, where he lost the urban south Johor seat to Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) incumbent Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub with a majority of 33,174 votes. The latest results was an increase from Salahuddin’s 2018 national election results of 28,924 votes majority.

With that, Nur Jazlan said his focus will be on re-strengthening the Pulai division’s Umno as well as BN.

"I will take care of the welfare of Pulai Umno and BN grassroots members, while assisting the division’s deputy chief and Kempas assemblyman Datuk Ramlee Bohani,” he said, adding that priority will also be on assisting those that have supported the coalition in the previous state election.

Nur Jazlan said he will also look into strengthening the Pulai Umno and BN leadership’s potential leaders who are expected to take over his position in the future.

"I want to give a chance to the Pulai Umno division’s new leadership to plot out a new direction and maybe they can take back the constituency in another five years,”

"After nearly 20 years of holding the Pulai Umno division chief post, it may be time for me to rest and give way for a new face to lead,” said Nur Jazlan.

The 56-year-old politician said since helming an Umno division as chief in 2004, he does not intent to hold on to the post for long as Pulai Umno division never lacks capable leaders.

Nur Jazlan made his electoral debut as the Pulai federal lawmaker in 2004. He managed to secure wins in the 2008 and 2013 national polls, before losing to PH in the watershed election in 2018.

The professional auditor has been credited for being among the Johor BN leaders instrumental in the coalition’s landslide victory in the state election in March.