Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has shot down Johor Umno's proposal for him to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of state menteri besar Osman Sapian.
"That call came from Umno. They think they have the right and power to name me. I don't think so.
"I was the menteri besar before, and I do not think it is appropriate for me to come back.
"But I am ready to help," he told a press conference after an official visit to the Maritime Institute Agency airbase in Subang this afternoon.
Muhyiddin was responding to Johor opposition leader Hasni Mohammad saying yesterday that he would seek an audience with Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar to put forth two recommendations for the vacant menteri besar post.
The first of these would be to make Muhyiddin the menteri besar, or for the ruler to dissolve the Johor Legislative Assembly to pave the way for fresh polls in the state.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad earlier today similarly brushed off Johor Umno's suggestion for Muhyiddin to be nominated for the state's menteri besar post.
Commenting further, the Bukit Gambir assemblyperson said he saw no reason for Johor Umno to seek fresh polls in the state, given Harapan's stable position with 36 out of 56 seats in the Johor state-assembly.
"The issue (of fresh polls) should not arise. The situation in Johor to my understanding is stable.
"There is no issue. And we control a large number of seats with 36 out of 56," he said.
"I don't understand what is the reason for the state opposition to seek an audience with the Sultan and request for a dissolution of the state assembly," said the Pagoh MP.
Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, also confirmed that at least two or three names have been shortlisted for the Johor Sultan to make the final appointment, according to provisions under the state constitution.
"I became the state's 13th menteri besar when I was appointed in 1986.
"I don't think there should be any debate about the appointment because it is already stated in Johor state constitution," he added.
Since Osman's resignation, apparent front runners for the post are Bersatu Bukit Kepong assemblyperson Sahruddin Jamal, PKR Semerah assemblyperson Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar, and Amanah Parit Yaani assemblyperson Aminolhuda Hassan.
All three presently sit on the state’s executive council.
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