Dungun, April 20 — Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has rejected claims that the Unity Government plans to delay upcoming state elections in Melaka and Johor due to fears of losing public support.

Responding to remarks by Muhyiddin Yassin, the UMNO president said such assumptions were unfounded and should not be based on past actions of previous administrations as reported by Bernama.

“Muhyiddin should not assume that others will do what he did before,” Zahid told reporters after officiating the opening of a Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) in Dungun.

Muhyiddin, who is also president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, had reportedly suggested that any move to postpone the elections would be driven by concerns over declining support for the current government.

The issue surfaced following a proposal by Khoo Poay Tiong to consider delaying the polls to ease the burden on voters facing rising living costs amid the global energy crisis.

However, Zahid stressed that there is no question of postponing the elections, noting that the authority to dissolve state legislative assemblies lies with the respective rulers.

“The decision rests with the Governor of Melaka and the Regent of Johor, as well as His Majesty the King, as the power to dissolve the assemblies is under their jurisdiction,” he said.

He reiterated that the government would respect constitutional processes regarding the timing of state elections.