ALL Perikatan Nasional candidates for the Johor polls are clean, free of scandals and corruption, coalition chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

According to Muhyiddin, all 56 candidates underwent a rigorous background check to ensure they were in line with PN’s goal of making Johor free of corruption.

Taking a poke at Umno and its leadership’s criminal trials, the former prime minister said PN did not have any court clusters in its line-up.

“I ask you not to waste time talking about whether this candidate is clean. They have all been screened and given the green light by the police, the MACC and the Insolvency Department.

“We don’t want to have any court clusters,” he said while announcing the list.

Of PN’s 56 candidates, 33 are from Bersatu, 15 from PAS and eight from Gerakan.

Among PN’s big fights will be the Benut seat, where Isa Ab Hamid will face Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad from Umno.

Earlier today, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Hasni would remain menteri besar, if Barisan Nasional wins.

Muhyiddin said PN has yet to announce its nomination for menteri besar, but would unveil its manifesto for the Johor elections on March 1.

Nomination day is this Saturday, and polling is on March 12. – February 24, 2022.