BERSATU president Muhyiddin Yassin today warned veteran Johor Umno leader Shahrir Samad not to challenge him to withdraw support from the state government.

“I can pull out of the state government tomorrow itself but I would not do it as it would affect the people of Johor,” he said during a press conference at Villa Mak Ngah in Bemban, Malacca today.

He also slammed the former Johor Baru member of Parliament for challenging him to do so.

“Shahrir is not concerned about the well-being of the people; he is only concerned about Umno,” said the former prime minister.

Shahrir was reported to have challenged Bersatu to withdraw its support for the Umno-led state government in Johor following clashes involving the two parties in the Malacca elections.

He had also said that there were no qualified Bersatu state reps in Johor to become the menteri besar.

Umno and Bersatu share an uneasy relationship at the federal level and are facing each other in the Malacca elections.

Muhyiddin also said that he knew Shahrir well and was sure the latter wanted an election in Johor just like in Malacca.

“This is in bad faith. I know him well. He wants what has happened in Malacca to happen in Johor,” he said, referring to the withdrawal of support for the Malacca chief minister which has resulted in the state polls.

“This is how Umno leaders function….don’t challenge me. I am the president of Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional,” he said.

He also said Shahrir’s challenge was a stupid one.

“This is stupid… asking us to withdraw support for the Umno menteri besar,” he said. – November 12, 2021.