Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today scotches rumours of a simultaneous elections for Perak and Sarawak.

"There are still three more years to go before the current term of the (Perak) legislative assembly and parliament expires.

"The important thing now is to work because the (legitimacy of the Perak BN government) is no longer being questioned," he told reporters after launching the state-level Juara Rakyat programme in Slim River.

NONE Muhyiddin, who is BN chairperson, said the state government should now focus on  developing the economy as this was what the people had been waiting for.

"The important thing is not just forming the government but what the government can do to the people. The people are waiting," he said when asked to comment on the rumours.

The Sarawak state election is due by July next year. However, most political observers expect the election to be called sometime this year.

Perak was embroiled in a crisis last year after the Pakatan government lost its majority in the state assembly following the move by four assembly members to quit the pact - three to become BN-friendly assemblymen and another to rejoin Umno - paving the way for the BN to form the state government.

‘Situation has returned to normal’

On Feb 9, the Federal Court ruled that Dr Zambry Abd Kadir was the rightful menteri besar of Perak.

Muhyiddin said reports showed that the people's support towards the BN government in Perak was on the increase.

People-friendly measures introduced by the state government had begun to bear fruit, he added. "He (Zambry) understands his responsibility and despite the challenging situation, he is able to discharge his duties."

Muhyiddin said that with the situation returning to normal in Perak, Zambry would be able to implement more programmes for the benefit of the people.

Apart from Zambry, also present at the event attended by 5,000 people were Umno vice-presidents Hishammuddin Hussein and Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

DPM visits Chinese new village

Muhyiddin later spent about two hours visiting Kampung Baru, Slim Village. The rain did not dampen the spirit of the villagers who line up to greet him.

Wong Siew Wook, 65, said this was the first time that a deputy prime  minister was visiting their village.

"I am happy that he also came by my house," he told reporters here.

The former lorry driver said he could feel the difference in the way the government approached the people.

"Now they want to get closer to the people and no longer merely relying on information given by elected representatives," he said.

Muhyiddin, accompanied by Zambry, Gerakan president Dr Koh Tsu Koon and several BN leaders also lay the foundation for the house belonged to Loh Koai, 54, to replace his dilapidated house which collapsed in December.

Loh said he appreciated the assistance given by the government.

Muhyiddin's wife Noorainee Abdul Rahman, meanwhile, handed aid to 100 orphans at Felda Trolak.

- Bernama