Muhyiddin not defending Johor seat, focus on beating BN as a whole

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin will have more time to prioritise strengthening the party’s machinery to defeat BN in the Johor polls when he does not have to focus on being a candidate.

This was Johor Bersatu information chief Mohd Solihan Badri’s reasoning as to why his party president does not intend to defend his Gambir seat in the upcoming state election.

“Without being tied down as a candidate, the former prime minister can fully focus on his job in the management and operations of Perikatan Nasional (PN)’s machinery throughout Johor.

“Muhyiddin was of the view that the BN government’s domination must end and Umno, which is the core of the coalition, must not be able to rise again forever after the upcoming 15th general election,” said Solihan in a statement today.

This decision will not hinder nor have a negative effect on Bersatu in the Johor election, he said.

On the contrary, Muhyiddin, as a veteran politician as well as the leader of the party in charge of the upcoming state election, will be able to bring victory to their other candidates, Solihan said.

As for who Bersatu will field in the Gambir seat instead, he said Muhyiddin has asked the Ledang Bersatu division to submit a list of potential candidates to him.

Muhyiddin previously said he has no plans to defend his state constituency of Gambir in the upcoming Johor snap polls.

Muhyiddin, who is the PN chairperson, is also the Pagoh MP.

The Johor state assembly was dissolved on Jan 22, paving the way for fresh elections to be held within 60 days. The Election Commission will meet on Feb 9 to decide key dates for the election including the polling date. - Mkini