Onn Hafiz sworn in as Johor menteri besar

Onn Hafiz sworn in as Johor menteri besar


Machap assemblyperson Onn Hafiz Ghazi has been sworn in as the new Johor menteri besar.

It is learnt that the Umno elected representative received his letter of appointment and took his oath of office as menteri besar in the presence of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar at Istana Bukit Serene, Johor Bahru today.

In an official statement from the Johor ruler, Sultan Ibrahim confirmed that Onn Hafiz is the 19th Johor menteri besar.

Onn Hafiz's predecessor and Benut assemblyperson Hasni Mohammad was also present at the swearing-in ceremony.

"Onn Hafiz, who previously held the portfolio of the Johor State Tourism, Youth and Sports Committee chairperson, is very active in the younger generation movement," the Johor ruler said on Facebook.

His appointment follows BN’s landslide victory last Saturday in the Johor polls where the coalition amassed 40 state seats out of 56.

The 43-year-old is the great-grandson of Umno founder Onn Jaafar.

Onn Hafiz is also the grandson of former prime minister Hussein Onn and the nephew of Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

He was elected as the Layang-Layang assemblyperson in 2018, edging out his opponent by 364 votes.

During the recent state election, he was fielded in Machap and won handsomely with a 6,543 majority.

Hasni called for youth leader

Prior to Onn Hafiz's appointment as menteri besar, BN seemingly faced obstacles in having their nominee for the post sworn in.

Throughout the election campaign, Hasni had been the face of the coalition’s campaign.

Yesterday, however, Hasni conceded that he was not getting a second term when he issued a statement stating that he asked the party leadership to appoint a "youth leader" to lead Johor.

Hasni is the second shortest-lived Johor menteri besar (330 days) after Sahruddin Jamal (320 days).