Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has the right to challenge Umno minister Hishammuddin Hussein to contest in Langkawi, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today. 

Zahid said it is up to parties and individuals to decide where they want to stand, and such challenges are normal in politics. 

"It is okay, it's up to them (to decide) where they like to stand. Challenging individuals is their own right," Zahid, who is also the home minister, told a press conference after attending his ministry's monthly gathering in Putrajaya this morning. 

Yesterday, Mahathir challenged Hishammuddin, who is defence minister, to contest for the Langkawi parliament seat in the coming general election. 

Mahathir, the chairperson of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), also helms the party's Langkawi division.

This after Hishammuddin, who is also Umno vice-president, dared Mahathir to stand for the Pekan seat in Pahang, whose incumbent is Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Meanwhile, Zahid instructed all government departments and agencies, particularly the Immigration Department, to sign the Corruption-Free Pledge (IBR) in an effort to eliminate public perception of corruption in the civil service.

He said that because of the few people who were involved in corruption, the whole force was affected by the negative public perception.

Zahid, who attended the Home Ministry monthly assembly earlier today, urged the heads of government agencies to become role models.

"When a fish rots, it starts from the head. So, we as the heads should be committed to proving that we are free from corruption to eliminate such perception," he added.

Without naming any states or leaders, he said that combating corruption is the joint task of BN government and the opposition-led states as corruption also happened in these opposition-held states.

"So, don't just point the fingers at us," he said.

When asked if he was referring to a particular leader or state, he said he was talking in general.

He named a few cases, including those involving several former Perak state executive council members who were charged with graft and the case of a young politician who faced corruption charges over the ownership of a big house.

He also believed that the opposition states that have yet to sign the IBR will eventually to do so.

Kelantan, Selangor and Penang have yet to sign the pledge.