'I said it's time to run at Parliamentary level but didn't say Rembau, clarifies Tok Mat

SEREMBAN - Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has clarified that no decision has been made over the parliamentary seat he is contesting in the 15th General Election (GE15).

He said Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties are still focusing on the preparedness of their machinery.

"I have not touched on contesting anywhere. I only said it's time for me to run at the Parliamentary level.

"Since I am Umno's deputy president, it's my wish to contest in any Parliamentary seat. I can run anywhere I want. But I did not say (Rembau), people want to say follow it. It is not my concern," he told reporters after officiating the Safety and Health Mini Expo in conjunction with Malaysia Day celebration in Bandar Sri Sendayan, here.

Mohamad Hasan, commonly known as Tok Mat, is also the Umno Election Director.

Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin was quoted as saying that he will not contest in his Rembau Parliamentary seat in GE15 as he had been asked to give way to Tok Mat to contest the seat.

Tok Mat further said he had initially asked BN component partners to state their respective seats they wish to contest.

"There are some seats that need to be changed, that's normal. There will be some 'switching' and to strengthen our strategy to win," he said.

Tok Mat further said he was not aware of discussions between Umno and Pas on 27 critical seats ahead of GE15.

Previously, Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man in a statement had said the party is open to discussions with Umno over the critical seats won by Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the last GE.