Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (wearing a songkok) being flanked by the media during the kenduri rakyat programme held at Kampung Bentong Luar in Kluang, Johor on Friday (Sept 6). — THOMAS YONG/The Star
KLUANG: Perikatan Nasional’s preparations for the Mahkota by-election have been satisfactory with its candidate expected to be announced within the next few days, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The Perikatan chairman and Bersatu president revealed that he has received the shortlist of candidates from Johor Bersatu.
“The state leadership has forwarded several names for the Mahkota by-election to me.
“I have already discussed it with Bersatu supreme council member Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Johor Bersatu chairman Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal and Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin,” Muhyiddin said after attending a kenduri rakyat event in Kampung Bentong Luar here yesterday.
He indicated that a final decision on the candidate from Bersatu will be made within the next one or two days, followed by an official announcement.
Muhyiddin also expressed satisfaction with Perikatan’s preparations for the by-election and the mobilisation of its campaign machinery, expressing hope for strong voter support.
Two former election candidates and a football coach from Bersatu are believed to be on Johor Perikatan’s shortlist for the Mahkota by-election.
Among them is Kluang Bersatu chief Mohamad Nor Lingan, who contested the seat in a four-way race during the 2022 Johor state election.
Another name mentioned is Dzulkarnain Alias, who ran for the Kluang parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election but was defeated by DAP’s Wong Shu Qi.
The third candidate is said to be 58-year-old Mohamad Haizan Jaafar, a former Kluang football head coach and ex-footballer.
The Mahkota state seat became vacant following the passing of its assemblyman, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain from Umno, on Aug 2, three days after she was hospitalised.
Polling for the by-election is scheduled for Sept 28, with nomination day set for Sept 14.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin stressed that he did not benefit financially from the RM4bil 1BestariNet service tender awarded to YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (YTL) in 2011.
Muhyiddin, who is the Pagoh MP, acknowledged that he was the education minister at the time but said he was not privy to the implementation issues that arose.
“It was suggested to open the tender internationally and the decision was made by the finance minister at that time, Datuk Seri Najib Razak. So he chose,” he said.
It was revealed that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had conducted visits to government offices and the YTL office in Kuala Lumpur, seizing a number of documents.
MACC is also identifying witnesses to assist in the investigation, which centres on a claim document containing false information involving about RM2.7bil in payments.
Muhyiddin further asserted that he did not see the contract or the allocation details, as these were managed by the government through the Finance Ministry at that time.
“I swear I did not take a single cent.
“It is up to the MACC to investigate, as it falls within their jurisdiction,” he added, noting that he learnt about the MACC’s investigation only through the media.
