SEREMBAN: Three-term Rantau assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic), or Tok Mat as he is popularly known, says he may for the first time contest a parliamentary seat in the next general election.

Mohamad, who is now involved in a four-cornered fight to defend his state assembly seat in the April 13 by-election, said he would give up the state seat if he decided to do so.

"I may not contest in Rantau the next general election.

"But I will make a final decision at the appropriate time," he told reporters at a ceramah in Kg Sendayan.

Mohamad, who is Umno deputy president, first became Rantau assemblyman in 2004.

He won all three elections there in straight fights against PKR candidates.

He won his fourth contest in the 2018 general election uncontested after his challenger Dr S. Streram was not allowed to enter the nomination centre by the Election Commission's returning officer for not having a candidate pass.

However, Dr Streram challenged the decision and won the case. The Federal Court then ruled that the result should be nullified and that a by-election be held.

On a separate matter, Mohamad said the allegations of wrongdoings against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak were all lies.

"If the 1MDB problems were real, he should have been arrested and charged. These 1MDB allegations are a bunch of lies and pure slander," he said.

Najib has been slapped with charges including money laundering and power abuse, and his first trial commenced on Wednesday (March 3).

Mohamad said Najib is scheduled to come and campaign for Barisan in Rantau.

"We have asked him over because we can never forget his contributions to Sendayan," he added.