PAS has called for an emergency Perikatan Nasional (PN) meeting to discuss the appointment of a new chairman to lead the opposition coalition following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation.
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, who is also PN deputy chairman, said the party respected and accepted Muhyiddin’s decision to step down as PN chairman with effect from Jan 1.
“For PAS, we respect and accept Muhyiddin’s decision and wish to record our highest appreciation for his services and contributions throughout his tenure leading PN,” Hadi said in a statement today.
Hadi said the emergency meeting should be convened without delay, noting that more than 10 days had passed since Muhyiddin’s resignation took effect. He explained that the meeting is required under Clause 8.3(i)(b) of the PN Constitution to formally accept and confirm the chairman’s resignation and to appoint a successor. However, he did not specify when the meeting would take place.
Muhyiddin announced his resignation as PN chairman on Dec 29, although no official reason was given. His decision came amid reported tensions between his party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), and PAS over claims that several PN assemblymen in Perlis had signed statutory declarations to withdraw support for PAS’ Sanglang assemblyman, Mohd Shukri Ramli, as menteri besar.
Shukri later stepped down and was replaced by Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah from Bersatu.
On Jan 1, Muhyiddin clarified that he would remain as Bersatu president and confirmed that the party would continue to be part of PN. Despite his resignation, several Bersatu leaders urged him to reconsider stepping down as PN chairman.
The following day, Hadi said PAS would take over PN’s leadership and confirmed that the new chairman would come from PAS rather than Bersatu.
Since then, several PAS leaders have been mentioned as potential successors. Apart from Hadi himself, names being floated include PAS election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
Sanusi, who is also the Kedah menteri besar, has ruled himself out, instead naming Samsuri as a leader deserving of the position. Samsuri, popularly known as “Dr Sam”, has yet to comment on the speculation or confirm any interest in the post.
Speculation intensified after a photograph of the Terengganu menteri besar with Muhyiddin was shared on Facebook. However, PN supreme council member Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man played down the rumours, describing them as mere speculation.
