Candidate · N26 Machap (2026)
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Current
Overall due diligence
High
Enhanced due diligence required
A serving state premier with a second term, a BN state chairmanship and documented appearances as a witness in the MINDEF land-swap PAC inquiry and the 1MDB trial warrant enhanced due diligence.
Electoral resilience
High
Won three consecutive state seats, with the Machap majority rising from 6,543 (2022) to 15,375 (2026) and BN taking 48 of 56 seats.
Political continuity
Stable
Continuously UMNO/BN throughout the recorded period; no party switch is documented.
Integrity signal
Review
Records show witness appearances in the MINDEF land-swap PAC inquiry and the 1MDB trial, plus a company payment he testified about; no charge, conviction or finding is recorded.
Financial / corporate
Partial
One company, Vital Spire, is documented through his court testimony; no SSM, asset-declaration, credit or beneficial-ownership checks are in the records.
How much due-diligence attention each area needs — not a finding of wrongdoing.
Serving state premier, BN Johor chairman and UMNO division chief, i.e. senior domestic PEP by office.
Heads a state government with a two-thirds majority and holds party posts at state and division level.
His 2013-18 role as political secretary to the Defence Minister overlapped the MINDEF land-swap and Paloh Camp matter examined by the PAC.
A company of his, Vital Spire, is documented as receiving a RM240,000 cheque from Najib Razak; no registry checks are in the records.
He appears in the records as a witness in two high-profile matters rather than as a party; no court-registry check is available.
No charge, conviction or regulatory finding appears in the records; witness status is not a finding against him.
No asset declaration, SSM filing, credit or beneficial-ownership data is included.
High public profile with recorded disputes over the JS-SEZ masterplan, a refused debate and a police report over royal-institution slander.
He was called as a witness over his role, while political secretary to the Defence Minister from 2013 to 2018, in the proposed construction of an army camp in Paloh, Kluang, identified in a special investigation headed by then auditor-general Ambrin Buang.N11N12
Status: Witness appearance reported; no charge or outcome is recorded
He testified at the Kuala Lumpur High Court in April 2019 that his company Vital Spire received a RM240,000 cheque from Najib Razak to launch the Malaysian Digest portal.N22
Status: Testified as a witness; no case against him is recorded
The records establish a senior, electorally secure office-holder: three consecutive state-seat wins, a two-term Menteri Besar tenure since March 2022, and concurrent BN Johor and UMNO leadership posts. Due diligence attention is driven by office and by two documented witness appearances — the PAC inquiry into MINDEF land swaps and the Paloh Camp proposal during his time as political secretary to the Defence Minister, and his testimony that his company Vital Spire received a RM240,000 cheque from Najib Razak. No charge, conviction or regulatory finding appears in the records, and none of the witness matters is recorded as resolved against him. Corporate, asset, credit and court-registry coverage is absent, so the financial and litigation picture should be treated as open pending registry checks.
Public-record review · allegations ≠ findings · a charge is not a conviction · every point links to its source record (E official results, R reviewed records, N collected reports). Prepared by AI from the records on this page; not an analyst finding, and it can be wrong.
Specific pledges this politician made, and what credible reporting since says happened. The status is assessed by AI from the linked reports — each quoted passage is checked against its source. “Unclear” means no credible report of the outcome was found yet, not that the promise was broken.
Johor · Statement after being sworn in as Johor menteri besar · 2026
Where it stands
As of 12 July 2026, the Johor state government declared Monday, 13 July 2026 a state special holiday, announced by Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi with the approval of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, as a thank-you to Johor voters for the 16th state election.
How it unfolded
Onn Hafiz, after being sworn in as Johor Menteri Besar on 12 July 2026 following the 16th Johor state election, promised a special state holiday for Johor. On the same day he announced, with the Regent's consent, that 13 July 2026 would be a Johor state special holiday. The declaration was made and publicly announced, fulfilling the promise.
Promised
“At the same time, I would like to share that, with the consent of Tunku Ismail, the Johor government has declared Monday, July 13, as a special state holiday for Johor.”
What happened
12 July 2026: confirms the state-wide holiday was declared for the following day.
Bernama — Johor Declares Tomorrow A State Holiday“JOHOR BAHRU, July 12 (Bernama) -- The Johor state government has declared tomorrow a public holiday across the state.”
12 July 2026: Onn Hafiz announces the 13 July 2026 state special holiday was declared, with the Regent's approval.
Bernama — Johor Declares Tomorrow A State Holiday““I am pleased to announce that, with the approval of His Royal Highness Tunku Mahkota Ismail, the Regent of Johor, the Johor government has declared Monday, July 13, 2026 as a Johor state special holiday,” he said in a Facebook statement today.”
Status checked 17 Oct 2026
Johor · Johor state election 2026 campaign · 2026
Where it stands
As of 11 July 2026, the night of the 16th Johor state election, BN retained the Johor state government with 48 seats while Perikatan Nasional — including PAS's 11 candidates — failed to win any of the 33 seats it contested, leaving PAS with zero representation in the Johor assembly and therefore no place in Onn Hafiz's administration. No newer article reporting on the make-up of the Johor state government was found.
How it unfolded
On 11 July 2026, during the Johor election campaign, Onn Hafiz ruled out bringing PAS into his state government if BN formed the next Johor administration. The election result reported the same day (11 July 2026) confirmed BN formed the government with 48 of the seats while PAS, fielding 11 candidates within PN's 33-candidate slate, won nothing — PN also lost the three seats it had held. With PAS holding no seats in the assembly, the promised exclusion was delivered in practice, although no article quotes a formal announcement naming the state executive council's composition.
Promised
“The state Umno chief previously said he would rather not be menteri besar than govern Johor with DAP, and also ruled out including PAS in his state government if BN formed the next administration.”
What happened
11 July 2026: shows PAS contested 11 Johor seats as part of PN's slate
Bernama — PN Loses All 33 Seats Contested In Johor State Election“In the election, PN fielded 33 candidates comprising 16 from Bersatu, 11 from PAS, five from the Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP) and one from Pejuang.”
Status checked 17 Oct 2026
Johor · Johor state election 2026 campaign · 2026
Where it stands · latest report 24 Jul 2026
As of the results declared on 12 July 2026, BN won 48 of the 56 Johor state seats on its own, a two-thirds majority, and formed the state government without needing PH, DAP or any other partner. Onn Hafiz Ghazi himself retained Machap with 20,382 votes (majority 15,375) and is governing as Menteri Besar; a 24 July 2026 report shows him making state administrative appointments (10 deputy state executive councillors) as MB, with no coalition partner mentioned. No newer article was found.
How it unfolded
Onn Hafiz Ghazi pledged during the 11 July 2026 Johor election campaign that BN would govern Johor on its own rather than depend on partners such as PH or DAP. Polling was held on 11 July 2026 and, as reported in the results released around 1 am on 12 July 2026, BN captured 48 of 56 seats — 36 Umno, 8 MCA, 4 MIC — a two-thirds majority, with the remaining 8 going to PH opposition parties. Onn Hafiz described the outcome as a mandate to continue serving; he retained his own seat. With a two-thirds majority held by BN alone and no coalition arrangement reported, the pledge was delivered. A 24 July 2026 report of him exercising MB authority over state appointments shows BN governing in its own right.
Promised
“BN’s emphatic victory allows its Johor chief, Onn Hafiz Ghazi, to stay true to his pre-election pledge to govern the state without relying on any other party.”
What happened
24 July 2026: Onn Hafiz acting as MB, making state appointments; no coalition partner referenced
Malaysiakini · 24 Jul 2026 — Deputy exco appointments to strengthen administration: Johor MB“Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the move was instead taken to raise its administrative capacity so that policy implementation, project monitoring and the resolution of public issues can be carried out efficiently, swiftly and effectively.”
12 July 2026: BN wins 48/56 seats alone with two-thirds majority, forming the state government without partners
Bernama — BN Retains Mandate To Govern Johor, Winning 48 Seats For Two-Thirds Majority“Barisan Nasional (BN) won 48 of the 56 seats contested in the 16th Johor State Election to form the state government once again with a larger two-thirds majority.”
Status checked 17 Oct 2026
According to Wikidata, Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi held the position of member of the Johor State Legislative Assembly, 2018–2022.
“position held: member of the Johor State Legislative Assembly; start: 2018-05-09; end: 2022-03-12”
According to Wikipedia, Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi served as Member of the Johor State Executive Council from March 2020 until March 2022 under former Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad.
“From March 2020 to his promotion to become Menteri Besar in March 2022, he served as Member of the Johor State Executive Council (EXCO) in the Barisan Nasional (BN) state administration under former Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad”
According to Wikipedia, Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi has served as the 19th Menteri Besar of Johor since 15 March 2022, and was sworn in for a second term on 12 July 2026 after securing an expanded two-thirds majority in the 2026 Johor state election.
“On 15 March 2022, Onn Hafiz was officially sworn in as the new and 19th Menteri Besar of Johor”
According to Wikipedia, Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi attended the Royal Military College in Sungai Besi and received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Hertfordshire.
“Onn Hafiz attended the Royal Military College in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur. He received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting from University of Hertfordshire.”
According to Wikipedia, Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi is a member and Division Chief of Simpang Renggam of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).
“He is a member and the Division Chief of Simpang Renggam of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)”
According to Wikidata, Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi was born in Johor.
“place of birth: Johor”
Arrests, charges, convictions, sentences, acquittals and pardons as reported by credible sources. Each item is marked with its stage — a charge is not a conviction — and outcomes are listed where reported.
No legal history found in the sources collected so far.
Allegations and investigations as reported by credible outlets. An allegation is not a finding; read each with its stage and source.
According to Wikipedia, Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi testified in April 2019 at the Kuala Lumpur High Court that his company Vital Spire received a cheque for RM240,000 from former prime minister Najib Razak to launch the Malaysian Digest portal, during Najib's 1MDB-linked corruption trial.
“In April 2019, Onn Hafiz was a witness in former prime minister Najib Razak's corruption trial, which involved millions of ringgit linked to state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). He testified to the Kuala Lumpur High Court that his company Vital Spire received a cheque for RM240,000 from Najib to launch the Malaysian Digest portal.”
Free Malaysia Today reported that Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi was called as a witness by the Public Accounts Committee in its hearing on land swaps made under the defence ministry, with the probe focused on his role in the proposed construction of an army camp in Paloh, Kluang, which was identified in a special investigation headed by then auditor-general Ambrin Buang.
“Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi was called as a witness by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in its hearing on land swaps made under the defence ministry.”
Astro Awani reported that Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz was called by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) as the fourth witness in its hearing on the MINDEF land swap deal, in his capacity as the political secretary to the then Defence Minister from 2013 to 2018, with the PAC investigation focused on his role in the proposed construction of the Paloh Camp in Kluang, which started in 2016.
“Datuk Onn Hafiz was called in his capacity as the political secretary to then Defence Minister from 2013 to 2018, and the investigation by PAC is focused on the role he played in the proposed construction of the camp which started in 2016”
Utusan Malaysia reported that Onn Hafiz Ghazi, as Johor UMNO chief, welcomed UMNO Malaysia's initiative to establish a donation fund for voluntary public contributions to help pay the fine imposed on Najib Razak.
“UMNO Johor turut menyambut baik inisiatif UMNO Malaysia untuk menyediakan Tabung Sumbangan bagi mereka yang ingin memberikan sokongan secara sukarela dalam membantu melunaskan denda yang dikenakan”
Free Malaysia Today reported that Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the JS-SEZ master plan is a Malaysian government document that does not require Singapore's approval to be launched, and that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's suggestion that the plan still needs agreement at the Leaders' Retreat is inaccurate and misleading.
“the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) master plan is a Malaysian government document that does not require Singapore's approval to be launched”
The Vibes reported that Onn Hafiz claimed the federal government had repeatedly delayed the launch of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) masterplan, which was initially expected at the end of 2025, later moved to March 30, and then postponed again to the fourth quarter of the year.
“"Onn Hafiz had earlier claimed that the federal government had repeatedly delayed the launch of the JS-SEZ masterplan, which was initially expected at the end of 2025, later moved to March 30, and then postponed again to the fourth quarter of the year."”
The Vibes reported that Johor acting Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi refused PH candidate Maszlee Malik's call for an open debate during the Johor state election campaign, saying open debates could create disharmony and were not in keeping with Johor's political culture.
“So, for me, we have no problem; it's just that in the context of this election, open debate is not the right thing to do”
Free Malaysia Today reported that Johor Menteri Besar and Barisan Nasional chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi declined a scheduled dialogue with former education minister Maszlee Malik, saying the proposed debate had nothing to do with his Machap constituency and that he was not standing against Maszlee in the 11 July 2026 state election.
“So what has it (the debate) got to do with my constituency?”
Free Malaysia Today reported that Onn Hafiz Ghazi publicly criticised former education minister Maszlee Malik for failing to deliver on pledges to his former Simpang Renggam constituents, including the abolition of the Simpang Renggam toll.
“Till today, he has yet to make it happen”
Astro Awani reported that Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the spread of slander implicating the Crown Prince of Johor in a RM20 million corruption allegation involving SPRM Anti-Money Laundering director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin was a malicious attempt to undermine the royal institution, and that the state government had lodged a police report urging authorities to investigate and take strict action.
“Kerajaan Negeri telah membuat laporan polis berkaitan perkara ini dan menggesa pihak berkuasa untuk menjalankan siasatan serta mengambil tindakan tegas terhadap mana-mana pihak yang terbabit menyebarkan hasutan ini.”
Astro Awani reported that Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi described corruption as a disease that hinders the nation's progress, at a forum on future leadership.
“manakala Onn Hafiz menyifatkan rasuah sebagai penyakit yang menghalang kemajuan negara.”
Utusan Malaysia reported that, according to Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad through its subsidiaries disposed of interests in five plantation companies in Indonesia in 2007 and divested its entire equity interest in two other Indonesian companies on 6 July 2023.
““Seterusnya, Kulim turut melupuskan keseluruhan kepentingan ekuitinya dalam dua syarikat lain di Indonesia pada 6 Julai 2023.”
Sinar Harian reported that Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi denied allegations linking Johor Corporation (JCorp) to forest fires in Indonesia, saying JCorp and companies in its group own or operate no plantations outside Malaysia and that claims that JCorp owns or runs the companies concerned are false and misleading.
“Menteri Besar Johor, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi berkata, dakwaan berkenaan tidak sepatutnya diputarbelitkan sehingga menimbulkan persepsi bahawa institusi pelaburan milik kerajaan negeri itu terbabit dalam kejadian berkenaan.”
Utusan Malaysia reported that Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said Johor has faced a haze-related health threat since 25 August, about 53 days earlier, with several areas recording Air Pollutant Index readings at unhealthy and very unhealthy levels.
“Johor telah berdepan ancaman kesihatan akibat jerebu sejak 25 Ogos lalu, iaitu kira-kira 53 hari lalu dengan beberapa kawasan merekodkan bacaan Indeks Pencemaran Udara (IPU) pada tahap tidak sihat dan sangat tidak sihat”
Free Malaysia Today reported that Onn Hafiz Ghazi was the caretaker Menteri Besar of Johor during the 16th Johor state election campaign.
“The caretaker menteri besar was the poster boy of BN's campaign for the 16th Johor state election.”
SCMP reported that Onn Hafiz Ghazi expressed disappointment regarding autogate system failures at Johor's entry points, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance border efficiency.
“he expressed disappointment regarding autogate system failures at Johor's entry points, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance border efficiency”
Utusan Malaysia reported that Onn Hafiz Ghazi said 453 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan and 153 in Sumatra based on information from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre, which could raise the risk of cross-border haze.
“Berdasarkan maklumat ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) yang diterima, sebanyak 453 titik panas dikesan di Kalimantan dan 153 di Sumatera.”
Utusan Malaysia reported that Onn Hafiz Ghazi urged ASEAN countries to play a more active role by holding an emergency meeting to strengthen joint action on fire control, hotspot monitoring and future fire prevention.
“Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi berkata, susulan itu pihaknya menyeru negara-negara ASEAN memainkan peranan lebih aktif dengan mengadakan mesyuarat tergempar.”
Free Malaysia Today reported that Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi stated that PAS would not be part of his state government under any circumstance if Barisan Nasional forms the next Johor administration and he is reappointed as Menteri Besar, and he denied allocating appointed assemblyman posts to PAS in exchange for the party contesting only 11 seats.
“I want to make this absolutely clear”
The Straits Times reported that Onn Hafiz Ghazi was sworn in for a second term as Johor chief minister at Istana Bukit Serene on July 12, following Barisan Nasional's landslide victory of 48 of 56 state seats in the 16th Johor State Election.
“"My appreciation to Johor Regent Tuanku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim for having the trust in me to continue to serve as Mentri Besar (chief minister) for another term"”
Utusan Malaysia reported that in the previous Johor state election, Onn Hafiz retained the Machap DUN seat with a majority of 6,543 votes after defeating three challengers in a four-way contest.
“Pada PRN Johor lalu, Onn Hafiz mempertahankan kerusi DUN Machap dengan majoriti 6,543 undi selepas menewaskan tiga pencabar dalam pertandingan empat penjuru.”
Utusan Malaysia reported that Onn Hafiz Ghazi is the Menteri Besar of Johor and the incumbent for the Machap state seat (DUN Machap), contesting it in a straight fight in the 16th Johor state election.
“Menteri Besar Johor, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi akan berdepan saingan satu lawan satu bagi mempertahankan kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Machap pada Pilihan Raya Negeri (PRN) Johor Ke-16.”
Utusan Malaysia reported that Onn Hafiz Ghazi, as Chairman of BN Johor, was reappointed as Menteri Besar Johor by Pemangku Sultan Tunku Mahkota Ismail, following BN's victory in the 16th Johor state election with 48 out of 56 contested DUN seats.
“Pengerusi Barisan Nasional (BN) Johor, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi mendapat perkenan Pemangku Sultan Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail kembali dilantik sebagai Menteri Besar.”
SCMP reported that Onn Hafiz Ghazi formerly served as State Executive Councillor for Tourism, Youth and Sports.
“Formerly a State Executive Councillor for Tourism Youth and Sports”
Contested 3 elections, won 3.
| Election | Seat | Ticket | Votes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johor state election 2026 | N26 Machap | UMNO · BN | 20,382 80.3% | Won by 15,375 |
| Johor state election 2022 | N26 Machap | UMNO · BN | 11,029 56.6% | Won by 6,543 |
| Johor state election 2018 | N27 Layang-Layang | UMNO · BN | 7,449 46.9% | Won by 364 |
Official gazetted results via the Malaysian Election Corpus (grade A record).
Collected automatically from credible outlets and Wikipedia, then cross-checked: Verified items match the official record, Confirmed items were reported by two or more different outlets, and single-source items are one outlet’s report. Partisan and anonymous claims are never shown.