JOHOR BARU, March 12 ― Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Datuk Hasni Mohammad called on all Johoreans, irrespective of political affiliation, to unite and assist his new administration in building the state together.

He said there was no political force bigger than the state of Johor.

“Today is a great day as Johoreans celebrate democracy and choose a stable future.

“I am aware that Johoreans want prosperity as they are fed up with the political turmoil and want (political) stability.

“With the mandate given, I will carry out the reforms needed,” said Hasni to a crowd of hundreds of BN supporters at the coalition’s command centre along Jalan Yahya Awal here tonight.

He said this in BN’s victory speech in the presence of BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Umno vice-president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and other component party leaders.

Hasni said he would immediately start on the Ikhtiar BN Johor pledges that made up the coalition’s campaign manifesto for the Johor state election.

“We will initiate the pledges in stages,” said the 63-year-old Johor mentri besar designate on the five pledges comprising economic growth, people’s wellbeing, the youth of Johor, governance with integrity and political reforms.

Earlier, Hasni credited BN’s resounding victory today to the party’s supporters.

He thanked the coalition’s national and state leaders who had assisted in its campaign, especially BN Advisory Board chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“I may be BN’s ‘Poster Boy’ for the state elections, but Datuk Seri Najib is definitely the ‘Picture Boy’,” said Hasni in reference to the former prime minister who actively campaigned for BN in the lead-up to the state election.

Earlier, BN won Johor with a supermajority, making a stunning comeback after being punished by voters in the 2018 general election.

BN, led by lynchpin Umno, won 40 seats in the 56-seat state assembly after just over half of Johor’s eligible voters cast their ballots.