Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said the question of whether he would defend his Pagoh parliamentary seat or move to Muar in the coming general election would be answered soon.
"Not long from now, the decision will be made and it will be announced at an appropriate programme.
"I am prepared to contest anywhere. I am a veteran... But of course, I have been in Pagoh long and many there want me to defend the seat, so I will take that into account," Muhyiddin told a press conference in Pagoh this afternoon.
Regardless of which seat he contests, Muhyiddin said, the main objective is to win the general election.
The MP for Muar is Umno's Razali Ibrahim, who is also a deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department.
Proponents of Muhyiddin moving to Muar cite Razali's slim 1,646-vote majority win in 2013, and the higher percentage of non-Malay voters who could give the former deputy prime minister an advantage.
However, many in the Johor Bersatu grassroots want Muhyiddin to remain in Pagoh, with the additional possibility of contesting the Jorak state seat as well.
Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (photo) is already actively working the ground in Muar and is being touted as a contender against Razali.
On a related matter, Muhyiddin said Johor Pakatan Harapan may only announce a few select candidates at its roadshow which is slated to be held in Pasir Gudang on April 6.
He said individual component party leaders may announce more, but noted that Bersatu was still finalising its list of candidates.
"The other parties are established and have incumbents, but Bersatu is a new party. We have a list and we're finalising it," he said.
Muhyiddin also rebuffed a report claiming that he stated Bersatu candidates must have higher education qualifications and money as not entirely accurate.
"I did not say that those without qualifications are not qualified to be candidates. They may not have high qualifications but if they are noble, the local people there may feel that they are suitable candidates," Muhyiddin said.
The Malaysian Insight had cited sources as saying that Muhyiddin had said, during a party retreat in Perak, that candidates must possess a degree, and that those contesting for a seat in Parliament must have at least RM100,000.
Muhyiddin said candidates must fulfil the expectations of voters who are increasingly becoming more educated and professional.
He also said candidates must be financially capable as Bersatu is a "poor party". -Mkini
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