{
  "id": 18666813,
  "title": "Onn Hafiz defends remarks PH wasting time in Melaka polls",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/onn-hafiz-defends-remarks-ph-wasting-time-in-melaka-polls-18666813",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T07:26:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/11/07/onn-hafiz-defends-remarks-ph-wasting-time-in-melaka-polls"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Johor's Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi has defended his recent comments suggesting that the opposition party, Pakatan Harapan (PH), is \"wasting time and money\" by participating in the Melaka state election. Onn Hafiz stated that his remarks were based on feedback, information, and his own observations from nomination day, which indicated that Melaka voters had positively responded to the cooperation between the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance.\n\nAccording to Onn Hafiz, the overall sentiment among Melaka's voters is favorable towards the BN-PN alliance, and this positive momentum is expected to be reflected in the election results on November 14. He made these remarks after attending a campaign event supporting Dr Akmal Saleh, the BN candidate contesting the Merlimau state seat.\n\nDespite the positive feedback from Melaka voters, Onn Hafiz has faced criticism from various quarters. During the Johor state election campaign, he was described as \"short, childish, and unintelligent.\" Moreover, PKR deputy secretary-general Saifuddin Shafi Muhammad accused Onn Hafiz of having an arrogant attitude towards politics, stating that his remarks demonstrated an arrogant approach to governance. Shafi Muhammad also urged Onn Hafiz to comprehend the principles of democracy, emphasizing that he himself became Johor's Chief Minister through an electoral mandate based on popular support.",
  "summary": "The Johor BN chief says his statements were based on feedback and information he had received, and his own observations on nomination day.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Anwar says Pakatan banking on multiracial appeal, candidate integrity in Melaka polls",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/anwar-says-pakatan-banking-on-multiracial-appeal-candidate-integrity",
        "published": "2026-11-07T03:35:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Melaka polls: BN candidate wants more opportunities for youths to shine in esports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/melaka-polls-bn-candidate-wants-more-opportunities-for-youths-to",
        "published": "2026-11-07T03:44:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}