Bersatu has denied a message making the rounds on social media that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's son Mukhriz will replace Muhyiddin Yassin - who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer - as home minister.

The party shared a screenshot of the message on its official Facebook page with the word “Fitnah” (slander) stamped across the image.

According to the message, PKR's Sungai Petani MP and state assemblyperson for Gurun, Johari Abdul, would replace Mukriz as Kedah menteri besar.

The message claimed that Muhyiddin is planning to resign due to his illness.

However, Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, was campaigning for PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim in Port Dickson last night.

Prior to this, he had chaired the weekly cabinet meeting in Mahathir's absence. The latter is in Bali, Indonesia, to attend a conference.

Meanwhile, a Bersatu source said Muhyiddin appeared “steady” during his surprise appearance at the ceramah in Port Dickson last night.

In his speech, Muhyiddin said this was the first time he is speaking in public over the past three months due to his health condition.

Johari, on the other hand, admitted having an audience with Kedah ruler Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah last Saturday.

“Yes, I had an audience with the Kedah sultan, but it was to discuss various matters related to the state's administration and not just the menteri besar's post.

"On the question of menteri besar, if it happens (kalau ada rezeki) then it happens," he told Utusan Online.

Mahathir's political rivals have always accused him of wanting Mukhriz to become prime minister and claimed this was the reason for his relationship with former premier Najib Abdul Razak turning sour.

Mahathir is the chairperson of Bersatu whereas Mukhriz is the deputy president.