Johor Polls: Former Johor Exco Quits UMNO, Joins Bersatu to Defend Layang-Layang Seat
JOHOR BAHRU: Layang-Layang assemblyman Datuk Abd Mutalip Abd Rahim has officially left UMNO and joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), confirming that he will defend the Layang-Layang state seat under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) banner in the upcoming Johor state election.
The former Johor executive councillor for Islamic affairs announced the move during a press conference at Bersatu’s Pagoh headquarters, describing the decision as a personal one made after carefully considering the current political landscape and listening to feedback from constituents.
He said his departure from UMNO was not influenced by external pressure but was motivated by his desire to continue serving the people of Layang-Layang through what he believes is the most suitable political platform.
Abd Mutalip revealed that he had initially planned to step away from electoral politics and had no intention of contesting again.
However, he said repeated appeals from local residents convinced him to reconsider, with many urging him to continue representing the constituency based on his years of experience and familiarity with local issues.
According to him, the constituency’s predominantly Malay voter base was among the factors frequently highlighted during his engagements with residents.
He said his decision to contest again was driven by a sense of responsibility towards the community, as well as his commitment to continue serving the people of the constituency.
Despite leaving UMNO, Abd Mutalip stressed that the move should not be interpreted as a sign of hostility towards his former party.
He said political parties are merely platforms through which leaders serve the public, adding that personal relationships with his former colleagues remain cordial.
The announcement comes after Barisan Nasional decided to allocate the traditionally UMNO-held Layang-Layang seat to MCA as part of its seat distribution strategy for the Johor state election.
BN has named Johor Menteri Besar special officer Chua Jian Boon as its candidate, marking a significant shift in the coalition’s electoral strategy for the constituency.
Political observers have identified Layang-Layang as one of the more closely watched seats following BN’s decision to field an MCA candidate in a constituency long associated with UMNO.
As of May 2026, Layang-Layang has 25,181 registered voters, with Malays making up approximately 55 per cent of the electorate, followed by Chinese voters at nearly 30 per cent and Indians at around 13 per cent, making Malay support a key determining factor in the contest.
Abd Mutalip first won the Layang-Layang seat in 2013 and successfully reclaimed it in the 2022 Johor state election. During his earlier tenure in government, he served as Johor’s executive councillor responsible for Islamic affairs from 2013 to 2018.
