Muhyiddin not convinced of PN candidate for Johor MB, says Shahrir

Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin’s failure to announce the coalition’s pick for menteri besar should PN form the next Johor government points to a lack of trust in its 56 candidates, says Umno veteran Shahrir Samad.

(FMT) – The Johor Bahru Umno chief also said Muhyiddin’s offer to become the state’s economic adviser if PN wins the elections points to a lack of confidence in the coalition’s candidates.

In an interview with Utusan Malaysia, Shahrir said it was important for PN to name its menteri besar candidate as the coalition is clearly intent on forming the state government since it is contesting all 56 seats.

“Everyone who competes has to be confident of winning … that’s normal. But in an election, it is necessary to present a candidate who can potentially be the menteri besar and provide leadership,” said Shahrir, a former long-serving Johor Bahru MP.

“Who will be the leader if they win the elections? Does he (Muhyiddin) think that just naming himself as the economic adviser will give the voters confidence? That doesn’t make sense.”

He said Muhyiddin’s unwillingness to name PN’s menteri besar candidate showed that he was not confident in Bersatu, the party he leads, or its partner in the PN coalition, PAS.

Barisan Nasional has named Hasni Mohammad as its candidate for menteri besar if it wins on Saturday. While Pakatan Harapan has yet to name its pick, former education minister Maszlee Malik is rumoured to be its choice.