KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will not be making a return to contest in the upcoming Johor election, according to Johor Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal.

The confirmation comes amid mounting speculation over candidate line-ups after Johor's state assembly was dissolved this week ahead of fresh polls.

“So far no, and I have not been informed (about Muhyiddin contesting a state seat),” Dr Sahruddin was quoted by New Straits Times as saying today.

He said there had been no discussions within Johor PN regarding the former Gambir assemblyman contesting any state seat.

Muhyiddin sat out the 2022 Johor election and did not defend the Gambir seat he had held since 2018, which was subsequently won by Barisan Nasional.

He also served as the Bukit Serampang assemblyman from 1986 to 1995.

Dr Sahruddin also said he plans to run a third term in Bukit Kepong and dismissed the prospect of PN fielding national-level heavyweights to strengthen its campaign in Johor.

Instead, he said the coalition's candidate line-up would be drawn largely from its existing state leadership ranks.

Dr Sahruddin added that seat negotiations among Johor PN's component parties were close to being finalised ahead of the polls, the date which is yet to be announced by the Election Commission.