Ong warns Pua's response to S'gor ruler may cost Harapan Malay votes in Johor
Mohd Farhan Darwis
Published: Jul 4, 2026 2:03 PM
Updated: 5:03 PM
Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's rebuke of DAP's Lim Guan Eng and Tony Pua over the LRT3 cost review may dent Pakatan Harapan's Malay support in several Johor seats.
Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming said Pua's response to the Selangor sultan could be perceived as disrespectful.
"They will see Pua's (Facebook) post as disrespectful to the Selangor sultan, and these few Malay voters will be less inclined to vote for Harapan candidates," he told Malaysiakini.
However, Ong (above) opined that the issue is not the main factor that will determine voting patterns.
Instead, he said Harapan's biggest challenge is the failure to counter the narrative surrounding Onn Hafiz Ghazi as a popular menteri besar.
In this Johor state election, DAP is contesting in 17 seats, with seven of them seeing straight fights against MCA candidates representing BN in Bekok, Tangkak, Bentayan, Yong Peng, Mengkibol, Penggaram, and Pekan Nenas.
DAP veteran Boo Cheng Hau also shared the view that issues touching on the royal institution, religion, and race (3R) are influential on voter sentiment.
"However, it is hoped that we focus more on daily cost of living issues, such as the price of goods, inflation, water, environment, and the socio-economic development of Johor as a developed state," he said.
Boo Cheng Hau
The former Skudai assemblyperson said two-way communication between politicians, regardless of party, and the institution of Malay rulers needs to be proactively strengthened.
"I believe DAP leaders have become more mature and prudent when issuing statements involving public interest and the palace's concerns because the institution of Malay rulers commands the highest respect among all segments of society," Boo added.
‘Did not understand importance’
On July 1, the Selangor sultan decreed that Lim and Pua did not understand the importance of the LRT3 project when they downscaled its scope during the change of government in 2018, including by cancelling five stations and reducing train capacity.
His Highness also expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for continuing the project.
In response, Lim and Pua issued a joint statement defending the decision to rationalise the project.
The former Skudai assemblyperson said two-way communication between politicians, regardless of party, and the institution of Malay rulers needs to be proactively strengthened.
"I believe DAP leaders have become more mature and prudent when issuing statements involving public interest and the palace's concerns because the institution of Malay rulers commands the highest respect among all segments of society," Boo added.
‘Did not understand importance’
On July 1, the Selangor sultan decreed that Lim and Pua did not understand the importance of the LRT3 project when they downscaled its scope during the change of government in 2018, including by cancelling five stations and reducing train capacity.
His Highness also expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for continuing the project.
In response, Lim and Pua issued a joint statement defending the decision to rationalise the project.
Tony Pua (left) and Lim Guan Eng
Afterwards, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the government will request an audience with the Selangor sultan to provide an explanation regarding the project's cost.
The transport minister said that the government accepted Sultan Sharafuddin's views and would explain the circumstances surrounding the project's implementation.
No effect on Chinese voters
Meanwhile, Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said Chinese voters in Johor are not bothered by the issue given the "cool" atmosphere of the state election's climate, particularly for the community.
Afterwards, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the government will request an audience with the Selangor sultan to provide an explanation regarding the project's cost.
The transport minister said that the government accepted Sultan Sharafuddin's views and would explain the circumstances surrounding the project's implementation.
No effect on Chinese voters
Meanwhile, Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said Chinese voters in Johor are not bothered by the issue given the "cool" atmosphere of the state election's climate, particularly for the community.
Hisomuddin BakarHowever, he reminded DAP to be cautious in handling issues involving the royal institution so that it does not backfire.
"Do not drag Chinese voters into a fight with the palace. This matter needs to be handled delicately by DAP.
"For Bangsa Johor, matters involving the palace are sensitive. For Malay voters, they will turn out in large numbers (in this state election)... DAP must be careful; otherwise, it will trigger the emotions of Malay voters.
“Like pulling hair out of flour so that the flour does not scatter - if it scatters, the implication in Johor is that Harapan as the federal government might face the same fate as in Sabah," he said, citing the Malay proverb to do things carefully so that it does not result in problems later.
He was referring to the Sabah election in November last year, in which Harapan suffered heavy losses by losing most of their contests.
Similarly, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) political analyst Mazlan Ali also held the view that the issue is not expected to have a major impact on voting patterns in Johor as it is more of a local issue in Selangor.
Mazlan Ali
"This is not the first time Pua has made such a statement... previously, there was also a statement from the Selangor sultan.
"But in Johor, things are still running smoothly. It hasn't caused any disruption, and we haven't heard BN using this Selangor issue. Selangor is quite far from Johor," he said.
Too sophisticated to predict
In the meantime, Bersama leader Rafizi Ramli said today's voters are too sophisticated to predict.
In his opinion, the perception that royal decrees can influence voting patterns is a mere assumption, with no basis in data.
"To be honest, unless you conduct a survey - and there is not enough time to do so right now - I feel my opinion does not matter.
"Secondly, I think no one can assess it. Even if you ask the prime minister or the caretaker Johor menteri besar, I think they are not in a position to assess it.
"This is because voters today are very smart and sophisticated. Anyone who claims they can read what is on the voters' minds, you know they are just politicians talking nonsense," he told Malaysiakini in Kluang yesterday.
Additional reporting by B Nantha Kumar
"This is not the first time Pua has made such a statement... previously, there was also a statement from the Selangor sultan.
"But in Johor, things are still running smoothly. It hasn't caused any disruption, and we haven't heard BN using this Selangor issue. Selangor is quite far from Johor," he said.
Too sophisticated to predict
In the meantime, Bersama leader Rafizi Ramli said today's voters are too sophisticated to predict.
In his opinion, the perception that royal decrees can influence voting patterns is a mere assumption, with no basis in data.
"To be honest, unless you conduct a survey - and there is not enough time to do so right now - I feel my opinion does not matter.
"Secondly, I think no one can assess it. Even if you ask the prime minister or the caretaker Johor menteri besar, I think they are not in a position to assess it.
"This is because voters today are very smart and sophisticated. Anyone who claims they can read what is on the voters' minds, you know they are just politicians talking nonsense," he told Malaysiakini in Kluang yesterday.
Additional reporting by B Nantha Kumar
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Impossibly arrogant, recalcitrantly stubborn, too frigging proud, he just can't let go when his conceit has been slighted, wakakaka.
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