Muhyiddin Yassin said only the Election Commission (EC) has the power to decide whether the general election will be held simultaneously for the whole country or separately for the states under the opposition pact administration.

The deputy prime minister said in Seoul today it was up to the EC to decide on the matter based on the financial situation.

"We (the government) do not decide on the matter absolutely. Matters pertaining to the general election are up to the EC to decide," he said at a press conference after having breakfast with Malaysian journalists covering his official visit to South Korea beginning yesterday until Thursday.

He said this when asked to comment on the report quoting the Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh, who is the PKR election director, that the opposition party would not contest if a snap general election were to be held.

Muhyiddin said although the government could dissolve Parliament to hold a general election, the EC, as an independent body, had the power to decide on the polling date.

He said if the states under the opposition pact felt that a separate election should be held, if it were to be held in the near future, it was their own opinion.

"If these states refuse to hold simultaneous elections throughout the country due to internal problems faced by the opposition parties, it is their problem.

"For the BN, we have more experience in facing the general elections and understand the process involved," he said.

- Bernama