PAGOH: Bersatu members are free to decide how they vote in seats where Perikatan Nasional is not contesting, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The Bersatu president was asked about PAS' remarks that voters could back Barisan Nasional in seats where Perikatan is not contesting and if Bersatu would adopt a similar stand.
"If Perikatan is contesting, support Perikatan. We are not going to support other parties contesting against us.
"If the party contesting is not us, then as a matter of principle, we will not support," he told reporters at Kampung Jayor here on Monday (June 29), adding that Bersatu would not issue instructions that could confuse its supporters.
Muhyiddin was speaking during a walkabout with Bersatu's candidate for the Bukit Kepong state seat, Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal.
He also said Perikatan was contesting almost all seats, either through Bersatu or other parties aligned with the coalition.
However, he said voters would have to make their own decision in areas where Bersatu is not contesting.
"That is their right. If there is no Bersatu candidate in an area but there is another candidate, then they make their own decision," he said.
Asked if this meant voters could back another party if Perikatan was not contesting, Muhyiddin said there are some who will not exercise their right to vote because candidates are not from a party they like.
"If you do not like all candidates, can I force you to support someone? I will not issue such an instruction because we have certain principles, policies and approaches we have held from before," he said.
Muhyiddin also said early feedback on Bersatu was positive and encouraging but the party would not take things for granted.
"If the reports are good, that is one thing. If they are not good, or if voters do not agree with us, then we will take steps to explain," he said.
Muhyiddin said poverty, the cost of living and rising prices remained major concerns among voters.
"Everyone is saying things are expensive. These are serious issues that we will pay attention to," he said.
