The party’s information chief, Wan Saiful Wan Jan, said Malaysians recognised Muhyiddin’s clean record in the 15 months he has served as prime minister and he was sure they would show this when they vote.

In an interview with FMT, he said Malaysians would have two other choices for prime minister, namely Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“I am confident that if you compare Muhyiddin with Anwar and Zahid, the people will say ‘we want Muhyiddin to stay’ because his record is clear,” he said.

PH has unanimously picked Anwar to lead the coalition into GE15 as its prime ministerial candidate, and while Muhyiddin looks set to lead Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional president Zahid is in a battle to hold on to his position.

Wan Saiful dismissed allegations about money politics in PN, saying there had never been any bargaining for positions or money at the party or government level.

He described the claims as “wild accusations” made to gain political mileage.

“Until today, people who have said these things have not been able to provide any proof,” he said. “Those making the accusations and their friends are clearly becoming increasingly silent.

“They are making these wild, random allegations only to gain popularity. It can be glamorous for a while, but they’ll have to be held responsible not only now, but also in the future.”

He also spoke of Umno members who he said had expressed a desire to leave their party to join the opposition.

“Recently,” he said, “some friends in Umno told me ‘I’m out, I want to join Amanah.’”

He disclosed that PN, consisting of Bersatu, PAS, STAR, SAPP and Gerakan, would contest for all 222 parliament seats in GE15.

He said negoatiations for seats were going well “because we have a good understanding among component parties”.