PETALING JAYA: Mersing MP Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad says he will not be contesting in the upcoming Johor state elections as he intends to devote his time to his ministerial role in the Federal Government and his parliamentary constituency.

       "This is to allow me to devote all my time to carry out my duty as the Member of Parliament for Mersing and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions)," he said in a statement on Friday (Feb 11).

       However, the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia lawmaker expressed his full commitment to assist the party and Perikatan Nasional’s election machinery to ensure the victory of their candidates.

       Abd Latiff also urged voters in Johor including the 700,000 first time voters, comprising 180,000 youths aged between 18 and 20, to go out and exercise their voting rights and make a smart decision when casting their ballots.

       On Jan 25, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also said that he did not want to defend his Bukit Gambir state assembly seat as the former prime minister wanted to concentrate on his parliamentary and party duties.

       Johor would go to the polls following the dissolution of the 56-seat State Legislative Assembly on Jan 22.

       Polling date for the Johor state election has been set for March 12 while nomination would take place on Feb 26, the Election Commission said on Wednesday (Feb 9).

       Early voting would be on March 8.