Speculation is circulating on whether Muhyiddin Yassin will defend his Pagoh parliamentary seat in the next general election, according to veteran newsman Ahiruddin Atan.

"Trending this morning was talk that Muhyiddin... might not be defending his Pagoh seat but will instead go to Muar, which has more Chinese than Javanese constituents," he said.

The former top editor said moving to Muar would ensure Muhyiddin's survival, and  at same time, send to oblivion the incumbent Razali Ibrahim, a deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

Ahiruddin, who is popularly known as Rocky, pointed out that one theory claimed the former deputy premier's support in Pagoh is waning fast and if a general election is held next year, he could lose the seat which he has held for close to four decades.

"I have no way of confirming or challenging such talk, of course. But I've always thought he was hugely popular in Pagoh, just as popular as Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should be in Pekan perhaps.

"Would people close to him just walk away and distance themselves from him because he had decided to form a new party and ditch Umno?

"Obviously they would. Especially if these people revere Umno as a 'parti keramat'. And people of Pagoh, the constituents that Muhyiddin has served since 1978, revere Umno," he added.

Muhyiddin was axed from the cabinet last July over his critical stand regarding the 1MDB issue and accused of conspiring with former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to topple the prime minister.

In February this year, Muhyiddin was suspended as Umno deputy president, and the supreme council unanimously decided to sack him from the party in June.

Also sacked was Mahathir’s son Mukhriz, who prior to that was forced to resign as Kedah menteri besar.

Last week, Muhyiddin submitted an application to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to seek its approval for the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

Mahathir is expected to serve as the chairperson of Bersatu.