Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it is not up to his predecessor, former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, to decide whether he should succeed as prime minister or otherwise in the event incumbent Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak steps down.

“It’s not up to him to decide,” Zahid said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Zahid, who is also home minister, was responding to Muhyiddin who had said he is agreeable to Zahid assuming the post of prime minister should Najib step down from his post.

“People say I will take his (Najib’s) place. I don't mind... or Zahid also I don't mind. Whoever it is I, too, don't mind,” Muhyiddin was quoted as saying at an event held in Puchong last night.

Apart from Muhyiddin, former law minister Zaid Ibrahim had also suggested that Zahid be given the chance to take over the country’s leadership.

Zahid was also asked on the 12-day campaign period for the Sarawak state election.

“It's more than enough. They have started campaigning two years ago,” Zahid chuckled.

As for the opposition, which has complained about being barred from entering Sarawak, Zahid said both Sabah and Sarawak’s immigration laws are under the respective state governments.

He also said that the question on opposition members decrying their entry bans as sabotage attempts should be posed to the Sarawak chief minister (Adenan Satem).

As for his confidence on the outcome of the Sarawak elections, Zahid admitted that he was not fully confident.

“We have to work hard during the campaign period. I, myself, will go to Sarawak. I will be in Sarawak tomorrow night,” he said.

The Election Commission (EC) has fixed May 7 as the polling date for the Sarawak state election.

Nomination for the 82 seats up for grabs will be held on April 25.