As Johor heads into another state election, one familiar campaign theme has once again taken centre stage: the economy.  Political parties routinely claim that economic growth, investment inflows, rising exports or employment opportunities are proof that voters should reward them with another mandate. Conversely, opponents argue that economic challenges such as inflation, the cost of living or a weaker currency demonstrate the incumbent's failure. Yet beneath these familiar campaign narratives lies an important irony. In reality, it is often difficult—if not impossible—to attribute economic success or failure solely to any particular political party. Johor presents perhaps the clearest example of this complexity.