BN wins 48 of 56 seats; PH reduced to 8 as Zahid vows continued cooperation with federal Unity Government
JOHOR BAHRU, July 11, 2026 — Barisan Nasional (BN) achieved a commanding victory in the 16th Johor State Election held on Saturday, winning 48 out of 56 seats and significantly strengthening its position in the southern state.
The result marks a strong improvement from the 40 seats BN secured in the 2022 state polls. Pakatan Harapan (PH), the coalition led federally by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, won the remaining 8 seats, down from 12 previously. Perikatan Nasional (PN) failed to win any seats.
Voter turnout stood at approximately 68.73% among the 2.73 million registered voters.
BN chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hailed the outcome as an “extraordinary” result at the coalition’s operations centre in Johor Bahru. He credited caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi for the strong performance and described the victory as both an official and personal success for the state leadership.
The win gives BN a comfortable supermajority in the Johor State Legislative Assembly.
BN leaders, including Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (centre), celebrate the victory in Johor Bahru on July 11, 2026.
Despite the fierce contest between BN and PH at the state level, Zahid emphasised that the election outcome would not disrupt BN’s working relationship with the federal Unity Government in Putrajaya.
He stated that cooperation between the two coalitions at the federal level would continue professionally, noting that differences during the campaign would not affect cabinet-level collaboration.
This message aligns closely with reports immediately after the polls, highlighting that state-level rivalry would not spill over into national governance.
Breakdown of Results
- Barisan Nasional: 48 seats (UMNO 36, MCA 8, MIC 4)
- Pakatan Harapan: 8 seats
- Perikatan Nasional: 0 seats
BN made notable gains in several areas previously held by PH and consolidated its traditional strongholds.
The decisive result in Johor is being viewed by analysts as a significant boost for BN ahead of upcoming state elections, including Negeri Sembilan. Zahid expressed hope that the Johor victory would trigger a “blue wave” for BN in other states and the next general election.
For PH, the loss of ground in its former stronghold represents a setback, even as the federal government coalition remains intact.
The Election Commission has confirmed the final results, with BN now set to form the next Johor state government under Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
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