Mohd Zaidi Japar

Summary

Mohd Zaidi Japar is an UMNO politician from Batu Pahat, Johor, who currently serves as Ketua UMNO Bahagian Batu Pahat after defeating the long-serving incumbent Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi at the 2023 divisional elections [1]. He was named by Johor BN as the BN-UMNO candidate for the N25 Rengit state seat in the 11 July 2026 Johor state election, which he contests in a three-corner fight against candidates from Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan [2]. Public records from allowlist sources do not document his educational background, pre-political career, or detailed policy positions at this time.

Biography

Mohd Zaidi Japar is a Malaysian politician from UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) who serves as Ketua (Division Chief) of UMNO Bahagian Batu Pahat, Johor. He previously held the position of Timbalan Ketua (Deputy Chief) of the same division [1]. In March 2023, he defeated the incumbent division chief Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi in a three-corner contest at the UMNO Bahagian Batu Pahat divisional elections, securing 401 votes against Puad's 302 votes, with 709 representatives participating in the election held at Dewan Jubli Intan Batu Pahat [3]. His victory was among 11 new UMNO division chiefs elected across Johor in that cycle [4]. In June 2026, Johor BN chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced Mohd Zaidi Japar as the BN-UMNO candidate for the N25 Rengit state seat in the 2026 Johor state election, to be held on 11 July 2026 [5]. The Rengit seat had been held by Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi since 2022 with a majority of 1,920 votes; Puad confirmed he would not contest the seat again, citing age [6]. For the 2026 contest, the Rengit electorate stands at 27,608 registered voters [7]. Mohd Zaidi faces a three-corner contest against Syed Mohamad Syed Alwi from Perikatan Nasional (Bersatu) and Mohamad Yazid Bakri from Pakatan Harapan (Amanah) [8]. He was present at the BN machinery launch for the Batu Pahat division ahead of polling day [6]. No further publicly documented pre-political career, educational background, or personal details have been identified from credible allowlist sources.

Known for

Mohd Zaidi Japar is known for his role as Ketua UMNO Bahagian Batu Pahat, a position he won in March 2023 by defeating the long-serving incumbent Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi [1]. He is the BN-UMNO candidate for the N25 Rengit seat in the 2026 Johor state election, filling the vacancy left by the outgoing assemblyman Puad Zarkashi [6]. His selection as candidate over a candidate preferred by the outgoing assemblyman was reported as a point of intra-party contention ahead of the election [6].

Political positions

No public statements by Mohd Zaidi Japar on specific policy or legislative positions have been identified in available allowlist sources. His party alignment with UMNO under the Barisan Nasional coalition places him within the BN political framework for the 2026 Johor state election. He was present at a BN machinery event in Batu Pahat attended by PAS leaders, an event that Johor BN chairman Onn Hafiz characterised as a positive development in political cooperation [9]. Beyond this, no documented positions on specific issues such as cost of living, housing, education, or economic policy have been identified from credible allowlist sources.

Political career

1. Before March 2023Served as Timbalan Ketua (Deputy Chief) of UMNO Bahagian Batu Pahat before contesting the division chief post.⛓
2. March 2023Won the Ketua UMNO Bahagian Batu Pahat post in a three-corner contest, defeating incumbent Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi with 401 votes to 302 votes, with 709 division representatives participating.⛓
3. June 2025Attended a party event in Batu Pahat in his capacity as Ketua UMNO Bahagian Batu Pahat, alongside UMNO Vice President Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.⛓
4. 24 June 2026Named by Johor BN chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi as the BN-UMNO candidate for the N25 Rengit seat in the 2026 Johor state election, scheduled for 11 July 2026.⛓
5. 30 June 2026Attended the BN machinery launch for Batu Pahat division at Dewan Kampung Parit Mengkudu, Rengit, as the BN candidate for DUN Rengit.⛓

Election history

• 2026N25 Rengit, JohorPending⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentJohor BN chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced Mohd Zaidi Japar as the BN-UMNO candidate for N25 Rengit for the 11 July 2026 Johor state election, as part of a 56-candidate lineup.⛓
• OppositionMohd Zaidi Japar faces opposition from Syed Mohamad Syed Alwi of PN-Bersatu and Mohamad Yazid Bakri of PH-Amanah in a three-corner contest at Rengit.⛓
• VerifiedFactsThe 2022 Rengit state seat was won by Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-UMNO) with a majority of 1,920 votes. Puad confirmed in June 2026 he would not defend the seat, citing age. The seat has 27,608 registered voters for the 2026 election.⛓
• PublicFree Malaysia Today reported that Mohd Zaidi Japar's selection as the Rengit candidate — over the son of outgoing assemblyman Puad Zarkashi — was cited by UMNO Secretary-General Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as the reason Puad announced his resignation from UMNO, with Asyraf stating the party takes many factors into account when selecting candidates.⛓