JOHOR BARU, Nov 14 — Johor Umno deputy chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed is optimistic that his Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition will see an increase in voter support across the state from the ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities this Saturday.

He said his confidence comes from the desire for political and economic stability and progress, adding that these are the BN’s commitments in its 15th general election manifesto.

“I believe that the Chinese and Indian voters in Johor, especially the older generation, are more inclined to support BN this time.

“Basically, they want stability and certainty for their future. They don’t want the rojak federal government that we had in the past four years,” he told Malay Mail during a Deepavali celebration hosted by Tamilar Aikya Sangam at the association building in Taman Bukit Mewah here last night.

Nur Jazlan, who is making another run for the Pulai federal seat he used to hold in this general election, believes that BN’s theme of “stability and progress” will hit the right chord with Johoreans just as it did back in March during the state poll.

“As long as we can translate this into a proper agenda, that has been laid down in the BN manifesto, the Chinese and Indians voters will be favourable towards BN,” he added.

Nur Jazlan said the current political scenario for GE15 is markedly different from Election 2018 when the Chinese community showed its open rejection of BN.

He added that the current GE15 climate and run-up to polling day was not as impactful as during GE14, giving BN an advantage.

“I believe that this time the Chinese and Indian community understand that BN is a coalition that is serious in bringing much needed stability to develop the country,” he said.

Nur Jazlan is not alone in touting a swing in support from the minorities towards the BN. Its top two leader Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his deputy Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan have also claimed to be seeing an increase in support towards the coalition from the Chinese and Indian community.

Johor has the second most number of parliamentary seats in Malaysia with 26, behind Sarawak that has 31.