NST
PUTRAJAYA: The Barisan Nasional (BN) will not be fielding Jerlun Member of Parliament Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir as the candidate for the Kota Siputeh seat in the event a by-election is held, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Muhyiddin, who is also Barisan Nasional deputy chairman, said this did not mean Mukhriz was not suitable but it was because the BN wanted give a local the chance to be the candidate.
He said Mukhriz could help in campaigning as he was well received by voters in Kota Siputeh, which is a state seat under the Jerlun parliamentary constituency.
Muhyiddin told this to reporters after chairing a meeting of the National Minerals Council here today.
He had been asked about talk that Mukhriz, who is also Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister, would be the BN’s candidate for the seat if a by-election was held for it.