31/12/2025

WEDNESDAY | DEC 31, 2025

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Muhyiddin to step down as PN chairman tomorrow o Decision made to quell internal friction following appointment of new Perlis MB after five Bersatu, three PAS assemblymen withdrew support for former menteri besar

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: In a move aimed at quelling internal friction, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will step down as Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman on Jan 1. Bersatu information chief Datuk Tun Faizal Ismail Aziz said the decision follows the drama over the appointment of the new Perlis menteri besar after Bersatu and PAS assemblymen pulled support for former menteri besar Mohd Shukri Ramli of PAS, a shake-up that left the coalition scrambling for stability. Tun Faizal said the position of PN chairman had previously been offered to PAS. “From the very beginning, after the 15th general election, Muhyiddin offered the PN chairmanship to PAS but it was declined. The post of

Article 50A of the Perlis State Constitution, as announced by Speaker Rus’sele Eizan on Dec 25. “At the same time, PAS reaffirms its commitment to always uphold and respect the rule of law, democratic principles, the constitutional monarchy as well as the wisdom of the “After his resignation, I believe PAS and Bersatu will choose a new leadership, and there will definitely be different approaches and strategies in the upcoming 16th general election.” He added that the episode exposes PN’s fragility. “This gives a picture of a weak and down and make way for Hamzah. “Bersatu has split, and the sacking of one MP and the suspension of another has made things worse.” Mazlan said PN could reorganise under new leadership despite appearing weak. “I think Muhyiddin’s resignation will not have too much of an impact on PN’s stability. This is because PAS as a main partner has shown a loss of trust in him and almost half of Bersatu members and leadership have also rejected him. Tun that continuous attacks by PAS against Muhyiddin following the incident were also a contributing factor to the Pagoh MP’s decision to step down as leader of the opposition bloc. “As someone magnanimous, Muhyiddin chose to relinquish the position to make way for PAS and other PN component parties. His intention is to restore harmony in Perlis and at the federal level.” Tun Faizal added that current holders of appointed PN positions do not need to resign. “There is actually no need for them to resign. When the new chairman comes in he will make fresh appointments. But it is up to those appointed if they choose to step down.” Muhyiddin was reported as having informed Bersatu leaders via WhatsApp on Monday night that he would relinquish his post as PN chairman effective Jan 1. The decision reportedly faced opposition from several Bersatu supreme council members who believe that Muhyiddin, as a co-founder of PN, need not step down. Several Bersatu leaders aligned with Muhyiddin also announced their resignations yesterday, including Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who stepped down as PN secretary-general as well as Selangor PN chairman, and Johor PN chief Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal, who resigned as state chairman. Both leaders cited the fact that Faizal claimed

“This clearly shows Muhyiddin’s attitude. He is not someone who chases positions. However, in the Perlis issue the situation became disharmonious and made to appear as involving a confrontation between the palace and PAS,” he told theSun .

Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, for the well-being and benefit of the state and its people,”Takiyuddin said. The menteri besar crisis had prompted several PAS leaders to call for the party to sever ties with Bersatu. – BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE divided PN. This would certainly benefit other political coalitions such as BN or PH.” Mazlan also weighed in on the prospects of PAS taking over PN, stressing that the coalition still leans heavily on Bersatu, especially for leadership roles. “Although PAS has stated that its leaders are qualified to lead PN, I believe Hamzah will be appointed as the new PN chairman. “PAS is still relying on Bersatu, which has many experienced leaders capable of managing the federal government. “Everything will run smoothly only if PAS is willing to set aside the Perlis political conflict and cooperate fully with Hamzah’s leadership.” Both analysts agreed that the coming weeks would be critical for PN to stabilise its leadership. their appointments were made by Muhyiddin as reason for stepping down. The tensions between Bersatu and PAS are not new, with both parties frequently trading barbs following their failure to reach a consensus on naming a prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming 16th general election. The menteri besar crisis intensified the rift after Bersatu’s Abu Bakar Hamzah, who is also Kuala Perlis assemblyman, was appointed as the new menteri besar following the withdrawal of support for Mohd Shukri by five Bersatu and three PAS assemblymen. Shukri resigned from his post citing health reasons. PAS subsequently sacked the three assemblymen, and their seats were declared vacant. The party has also urged Bersatu to take action against its five assemblymen. Following the incident, several PAS leaders had renewed calls for the party to sever ties with Bersatu. PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said yesterday that the party is ready to lead PN. He said while PAS would continue to support the current Perlis state government, the party would not be part of the new state exco line-up. “All existing PAS exco members will resign from their respective positions as a sign of solidarity in tandem with the resignation of the former menteri besar.”

opposition leader was also first offered to PAS but it was rejected. “After that Muhyiddin proposed Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (Bersatu deputy president), which was agreed to by Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS president) and others.

Tun Faizal said Muhyiddin chose to relinquish the PN chairmanship to make way for PAS and other PN component parties, and restore harmony in Perlis and at the federal level. – BERNAMAPIC

Speculation intensifies over coalition’s future leadership

square one. It could signal that PAS lacks capable national-level leadership, which might create more turmoil. “This would not just apply to Hamzah but to any PAS leader, as Perikatan Nasional isn’t solely about Bersatu and PAS – other parties are also involved. “Given PAS’s extreme views, allies of PN would likely approach policies and strategies more cautiously. Likewise, supporters, especially non Malay voters, would be more careful in their support.” Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali said the Perlis conflict was the tipping point behind Muhyiddin’s resignation. “I think Muhyiddin’s resignation has something to do with pressure within the party (for him) to step

performance in Sabah played a role and the Perlis fiasco was likely the final straw. “With PAS threatening to pull out of PN and revive Muafakat Nasional without Bersatu after the Perlis fiasco, I believe this is the main reason behind Tan Sri Muhyiddin’s exit.” Azmi said the challenge for PN now is finding a successor capable of filling Muhyiddin’s shoes. “Who from PAS’s leadership can competently replace Tan Sri Muhyiddin? “In terms of his resources and strategic approach, Muhyiddin has elevated PN at the national level, making it difficult for any previous leader to match his performance. Yet, he appears willing to step aside to protect both PN and Bersatu. “If Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin were to take over, it’s all back to

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s decision to resign as Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman has sparked intense speculation over the coalition’s future leadership and the challenges ahead. The departures of other top leaders, including PN secretary general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and Johor PN chief Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal, highlight the scale of the political shake-up. Analysts agree that Muhyiddin’s exit is closely tied to the turmoil in Perlis, where tensions between PN partners, particularly PAS and Bersatu, came to a head. Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said he does not believe PN’s

PAS intends to nominate candidate from its own ranks PETALING JAYA: PAS is yet to decide whom it will nominate for the chairmanship of Perikatan Nasional (PN) although the party has indicated that it intends to put forward a candidate from within its own ranks. PAS Central Working Committee member Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya said the party has not yet convened to discuss on a nominee to replace outgoing PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. “We have not decided anything yet. The meeting will take place on Jan 4,” he told theSun. Earlier, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said in a statement that the party is ready to assume the leadership of PN to face the upcoming Perlis by-elections in Chuping, Bintong and Guar Sanji. The seats became vacant following the expulsion of three assemblymen, in accordance with Clause (1)(a)(ii) of