Onn Hafiz, who is also the Johor Umno chairman, said the claims were unfounded and added that Johor has its own distinct political approach rooted in respect, harmony, and proper conduct.

“Such politics have no place in Johor, where we always maintain respect, decorum, and racial harmony,” he was quoted as saying in an Utusan Malaysia report.

“Don’t be swayed by slander and incitement. That is my appeal to the people of Johor, especially those in the Mahkota constituency.”

At a ceramah last night, Bersatu’s Padang Serai MP Azman Nasrudin urged Chinese voters in the Mahkota constituency to reject DAP, claiming the party was being used by Umno to secure votes.

Azman claimed that Umno was relying on DAP’s campaign machinery to win over Chinese voters.

The Mahkota by-election will be held on Sept 28, with early voting set for Sept 24.

The by-election will see a straight fight between Barisan Nasional’s candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah and Perikatan Nasional’s Haizan Jaafar.

The by-election was called following the death of Umno assemblyman Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain on Aug 2. She had won the seat during the 2022 state election with a 5,166-vote majority.