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Malaysian Paper

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Bersatu PM candidate nominated himself: Insider

PN yet to decide on prime minister nominee: PAS PETALING JAYA: PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said PN has yet to decide on its prime ministerial candidate for the 16th General Election (GE16). Speaking to theSun , Tuan Ibrahim said the decision lies with the PN Presidential Council, which has not discussed the matter. “Such significant decisions will be made within the PN Presidential Council. However, so far, this issue has not been brought up.” Without directly addressing internal tensions, he added that selecting a “poster boy” is not a longstanding feature of Malaysian politics. “This is a relatively new practice. Traditionally, the coalition that secures the most parliamentary seats will decide among themselves who becomes prime minister.” He also said the candidate would then be formally appointed by the King of Malaysia after demonstrating majority support in Parliament. Tuan Ibrahim’s remarks followed Bersatu’s recent AGM, in which party president and PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was endorsed as Bersatu’s choice for the 11th Prime Minister. Its secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali later announced on Facebook that the party had unanimously agreed to back Muhyiddin. However, the matter does not appear to have been formally deliberated by the PN presidential council, raising questions about internal consensus. Tuan Ibrahim said for now, PAS is focused on strengthening PN’s parliamentary numbers ahead of the election. “Our priority is ensuring we are in a position to form a government. We are working hard on the ground to make this possible. “As for the prime ministerial candidate, PAS leaves that to the PN presidential council,” he said, adding that any decision must have the endorsement of all member parties. PN currently comprises Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party. The coalition has also allied with Muda, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia, Berjasa, the Malaysian Advancement Party, the National Indian Muslim Alliance Party and the yet-to-be registered Urimai. Despite Bersatu’s endorsement, Muhyiddin faced dissent at the assembly. He said during his address on Saturday night some members had been collecting signatures in an apparent bid to oust him from the party presidency. The disclosure triggered heckling from a group of grassroots members calling for his resignation, though most delegates responded with chants of “Hidup Tan Sri” in support. Analysts have suggested that Muhyiddin may have overstayed his tenure, arguing his grip on power endures largely due to backing from Bersatu’s supreme council. Seeking to douse speculation of a rift, Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin pledged loyalty to Muhyiddin on Sunday. This came amid rumours that as many as 122 Bersatu division chiefs had signed statutory declarations urging Muhyiddin to begin a leadership transition before GE16. Bersatu Women’s Wing chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin downplayed talk of division, saying differences between Muhyiddin and Hamzah did not threaten party stability. “I believe, and hope, both of them can cooperate and strategise to position Bersatu as a champion of the people’s issues,” she told theSun . Attempts to obtain further clarification from Azmin, who also serves as PN secretary general, went unanswered at press time. – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee

o Muhyiddin worked with Azmin to put name forward, claims source

source told theSun . The insider added that Muhyiddin and Azmin are relying on each other for political survival, despite no longer being seen as the preferred choices among leaders of other PN component parties. “Following the announcement, several PAS leaders expressed dissatisfaction, pointing out that the decision was made without consulting PN partners. They stressed there was no immediate need to name a prime ministerial candidate. “What the coalition should be focusing on is winning the election and increasing its representation in Parliament. That is the priority, for both Bersatu and PN.” At Bersatu’s annual general assembly last weekend, Muhyiddin, who is both party president and PN chairman, was formally endorsed as Bersatu’s choice for prime minister. Azmin later released a statement on Facebook saying the decision had been unanimous. However, senior PAS leaders, including deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim

Tuan Man and election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor voiced concerns, describing the move as premature. At the same time, speculation has emerged that as many as 120 Bersatu division leaders have signed a statutory declaration urging Muhyiddin to step aside and pass the party’s leadership to his successor. Most are believed to be backing deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, despite his public pledge of loyalty to Muhyiddin. When contacted, Bersatu supreme council member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said he was not among the signatories and could not comment on the contents of the alleged declaration. However, he confirmed attending a meeting of Bersatu division chiefs organised by Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan before the assembly. “At that meeting, the aim was to reassure division chiefs, most of whom were worried about how certain motions at the general assembly could affect Bersatu and PN. “That was why we gathered. There was no attempt to overthrow anyone.”

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The push to name Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as Bersatu’s candidate for the 11th Prime Minister is said to have originated from the Pagoh MP himself, according to a party insider. The source claimed Muhyiddin is determined to return as prime minister, believing he is best positioned to lead if PN manages to form the government after the 16th General Election. “The nomination came directly from Tan Sri. He worked with party secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali to put his name forward, even though it was unnecessary,” the PAS eyes Pahang, Perak for upcoming GE16 PETALING JAYA: PAS believes that two additional states currently under the Madani government, Pahang and Perak, are within reach and could be captured in the next general election. Its deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said this optimism stems from Umno’s dwindling number of seats. The party, once the backbone of BN, has been forced to rely on PH to form governments in both states. “Based on current performance and the groundwork we have laid, we are confident of winning two more states, Perak and Pahang. “We have studied the seat composition in both state assemblies and we believe we can defend the constituencies we already hold. With just a few additional gains, we will be able to secure a simple majority and form the government in both states,” said Tuan Ibrahim, who is also opposition leader in the Pahang State Legislative Assembly, when contacted by theSun . He was responding to questions on whether PN could expand its control over more states in the coming polls. In Pahang, a coalition requires at least 23 out of 42 seats to secure a majority in the State Assembly. At present, the Madani government holds 25 seats, 17 won by BN and eight by PH. In Perak, any coalition needs a minimum of 31 out of 59 seats to form the government. Currently, the Madani bloc controls 33 seats, PH with 24 and BN nine. Although PH helped BN establish the state governments in both Pahang and Perak, the position of menteri besar in each state remains with Umno-BN. At present, PN governs four states, Perlis, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan, where PAS is the dominant party. Tuan Ibrahim, who is the Cheka assemblyman in Pahang, also said PAS is in the final stages of preparing for its 71st Muktamar (Annual General Assembly), the last before the 16th General Election (GE16), expected next year. He added that the party’s stable leadership would be a crucial factor in strengthening PN’s performance in GE16. The PAS Muktamar 2025, scheduled to take place at Kota Sarang Semut in Kedah, from Sept

Tuan Ibrahim also said PAS is in the final stages of preparing for its 71st Muktamar, the last before GE16. – BERNAMAPIC

11 to 16, would see no contests for nearly all top leadership posts. PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and Tuan Ibrahim would continue to lead the party for the 2025 to 2027 term unopposed. Similarly, vice presidents Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Idris Ahmad and Datuk Amar

Nik Abdullah were retained without contest. PAS ulama chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya, youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (MP for Alor Setar) and Muslimat (Women’s Wing) chief Dr Nuridah Salleh also face no challengers in the upcoming internal election. – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee