MELAKA: Perikatan Nasional's choice for Melaka chief minister should it win the state polls will be announced soon and the candidate will be a Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) leader, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       "The chief minister candidate will be announced soon, it will be publicly known before polling day," said the Bersatu president and Perikatan chairman during a press conference after visiting an operations centre in Bemban on Friday (Nov 12).

       Muhyiddin explained that the delay over naming the candidate was part of Perikatan's strategy to take on the state election.

       "That is our strategy. We don't have to announce it early... there must be a person, someone qualified to be chief minister, and that isn't an issue to us," he added.

       Asked which party the chief minister would be from, Muhyiddin said it would be Bersatu, as the party is contesting 15 seats in the state election.

       "We were also given faith by our component parties such as PAS and Gerakan, that the chief minister would come from Bersatu. That's all I can say now," he added.

       Muhyiddin, who was also at a village to support Perikatan candidate Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub for Bemban, said he was unfazed by experienced candidates from DAP and MCA.

       Bemban will see a five-cornered fight among Bersatu's Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub, MCA's Datuk Koh Chin Han, DAP's Tey Kok Kiew, and two Independents, Ng Choon Koon and Azmi Khamis.

       "I think our strategy is accurate because we are fielding a professional who has contributed so much.

       "Though some pointed out that it's a traditional DAP and MCA seat, I'm not afraid because I'm confident in the maturity of voters, they know who to vote for.

       "I feel we have the best candidate. I can trust that he is qualified, handsome, young and what else?

       "He is among the best candidates from Perikatan."

       Muhyiddin also said Perikatan candidates will be asked to sign an anti-corruption pledge on Friday night as fighting graft remains an important core principle for the coalition.

       "If Perikatan candidates are elected as state assemblymen in Melaka, this will be among their pledges.

       "They will fight corruption, and this is an important principle upheld by Perikatan,” he said, adding that Perikatan's manifesto for Melaka will be launched on Sunday (Nov 14).

       "There is a possibility that we may form a monitoring body to make sure we keep our promises.

       "We cannot lie to the people. We must fulfil our promises. In fact, that is a religious requirement,” he said.

       Early voting will be held on Nov 16, with polling on Nov 20.