JOHOR BARU: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will be contesting the lion's share of seats in the upcoming Johor polls, says information chief Mohd Solihan Badri (pic).

       He said that seat negotiations with Perikatan Nasional parties including PAS and Gerakan are expected to be finalised soon, but declined to disclose the number of seats each party will contest in the state.

       “For Bersatu, each of our 26 divisions have already submitted the names of candidates for the state polls," said Mohd Solihan.

       “Even in our president’s constituency of Gambir, I have proposed a few names as possible candidates to continue Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s good work,” said the Ledang Bersatu division chief when contacted.

       Asked why Muhyiddin did not want to contest the state seat, Mohd Solihan said that the president would prefer to continue his duties as the Pagoh MP and handle party matters at the federal level.

       “We respect his decision not to contest a state seat. We also hear the advice he gave on Tuesday (Jan 25) asking all Bersatu members to close ranks and focus on the state polls," said Mohd Solihan.

       Asked about a statement from Johor Parti Amanah Negara chief Aminolhuda Hassan on possible cooperation with Bersatu in the upcoming elections, Solihan said that in politics anything was possible.

       “When a person reaches out to you, you should reciprocate the gesture,” he said, adding that presently the party was not in discussions with anyone outside the Perikatan coalition.

       Meanwhile, Muhyiddin will be chairing a special meeting on Thursday (Jan 27) at his Pagoh constituency with regards to the state polls.

       Talk is rife that Bersatu may contest more than 30 seats, with PAS gunning for 15 and Gerakan aiming for 10 in the upcoming elections.

       In GE14, Bersatu contested 18 state seats.