Kuala lumpur: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed a claim by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that the Unity Government plans to delay state elections in Melaka and Johor out of fear of defeat.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid, who is also UMNO president, stated that the former prime minister should not assume that the current administration would act in the same manner as the government did under his leadership. "Muhyiddin should not assume that others will do what he did before," he remarked to reporters after officiating the opening of the Dungun Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) today.

Ahmad Zahid was responding to comments made by Muhyiddin, who reportedly suggested that any move to postpone the elections would be driven by concerns over waning public support. The issue surfaced following a report that Melaka DAP chairman Khoo Poay Tiong proposed a delay in the elections to ease the burden on voters facing rising living costs linked to the global energy crisis.

Ahmad Zahid emphasized that there is no question of postponing the state polls in Melaka and Johor, as the dissolution of state legislative assemblies rests with the respective rulers. "The decision lies with the Governor (of Melaka) and the Regent (of Johor), as well as His Majesty the King of Malaysia, as the power to dissolve the assemblies rests with them," he added.