JOHOR BARU: Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi was today sworn in for a second consecutive term as Menteri Besar of Johor after Barisan Nasional (BN) secured a commanding victory in the 16th Johor election to form the state government.
The Machap assemblyman was reappointed after BN won 48 of the 56 seats contested, while Pakatan Harapan (PH) secured the remaining eight.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at Istana Bukit Serene here Sunday 12 July before the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
Also present were Johor Council of Royal Court President Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Ramli and state secretary Datuk Mohammed Ridha Abd Kadir.
Onn Hafiz arrived at Istana Bukit Serene at 3.40pm for the ceremony before Tunku Ismail arrived at 4.25pm. However, the official menteri besar’s car carrying Onn Hafiz was seen leaving the palace at 4.50pm.
The Johor BN chairman lowered the car’s window and waved to members of the media, who had gathered outside the palace since 2pm to cover the ceremony.
This is the second time Onn Hafiz has been entrusted to lead Johor, having first been appointed the state’s 19th menteri besar on March 15, 2022, following BN’s victory in the 2022 Johor election.
He was sworn in then before Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who is now the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, succeeding Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad as menteri besar.
Meanwhile in conjunction with BN’s victory in the state election, the Johor government has declared Monday (13 July) a state public holiday.
Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the public holiday was declared as a gesture of appreciation to the people of Johor for fulfilling their civic responsibility in the 16th Johor election.
“With the consent of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Johor government has declared Monday, July 13, 2026 a state public holiday,” he said in a statement, Sunday.
