Hinting at final tilt, Muhyiddin asks Pagoh voters to support him ‘one last time’ in GE15
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has reportedly hinted that the 15th general election (GE15) may be his last attempt at running for office.
According to a report from The Star, the former prime minister urged voters to support him "one last time” and said that he was willing to hold a public debate with Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at a meet-and-greet event with the local community in Bukit Kepong in Muar, Johor yesterday.
"Maybe this will be the last time [I am contesting]. If I win, God willing, I will still have another five years to serve the people.
"After being in national politics for close to 50 years and helming various positions, including the highest of them all, I think it is enough. Give others a chance,” the incumbent Pagoh MP was quoted as saying.
He reportedly added that there were many young people with calibre in his coalition, particularly in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, the party he is heading, who could take over the political duties and responsibilities.
The lineup of candidates for PN component parties is currently being vetted by the police, the Insolvency Department the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Inland Revenue Board, he reportedly said.
"I believe that the vetting process will be completed in the next few days and we will most likely make the announcement on November 2 or 3. This will give candidates time to prepare ahead of nomination day.
"We have decided that while there are 222 parliamentary seats available, we will contest at least three-quarters of them,” he was quoted as saying, adding that details on this will be announced at a later date as they were currently finalising the list of seats in which PN has the best chances of winning.
PN will be launching its manifesto early next month after nomination day, he reportedly added.
Besides that, Muhyiddin said that he has no problem debating or having a dialogue session with anyone should he receive an official invitation to do so.
"If [the debate] is suitable and does not cause any tension (and) is conducted fairly with no bad intentions, I will have no problem with it,” he said.
On October 20, Anwar had called for the prime ministerial candidates of the three major coalitions (PN, PH and Barisan Nasional) to debate one another ahead of polling day.
He said the debate should focus on policy-related matters and not have insults and accusations take centre stage in their electoral campaigns.
