21/02/2026

SATURDAY | FEB 21, 2026

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PN special meeting to decide on new chairman

PETALING JAYA: It is not impossible for Perikatan Nasional (PN) to split if Bersatu remains adamant about retaining the coalition’s top post, says International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Syaza Syukri. She said prolonged insistence by Bersatu to continue leading PN could strain ties with PAS, which currently holds the largest bloc of seats within the coalition. “If this continues, I would not be surprised if PAS decides to leave and contest solo. PAS has the capacity to do so,” she told theSun . She said unlike Bersatu, Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party, which remain mutually dependent within the coalition framework, PAS is structurally and electorally more self-sufficient. “PAS can be comfortable positioning itself as a Malay Muslim party on its own. It may not necessarily form the federal government but it could very well emerge as the single largest party in Parliament.” Syaza said PN is at present perceived as a weak opposition coalition even prior to the latest internal tensions within Bersatu that saw the expulsion of its deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and his Umno splinter party faction. Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said PN’s core strength does not lie with Bersatu but with PAS. “Logically, when Bersatu weakens, PN appears weak as well. However, the real controlling influence within PN is PAS, whose strength is anchored in solid Malay voter support. PAS’ influence in PN is almost total in that sense.” He added that this is why the Madani government, which includes Barisan Nasional (BN), had not dissolved the state assemblies in Johor and Malacca despite BN winning comfortably there in the past state election. “There is no concrete evidence to show that Bersatu or PN supporters are shifting their votes to BN. Both Johor and Malacca are fully controlled by BN, so the question of early dissolution does not arise simply because Bersatu is facing internal problems. “Without a demonstrable swing in voter support, PN’s current weakness remains internal and does not automatically translate into electoral gains for BN.” – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee “Cases under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which involve drug trafficking offences, do not allow for bail, requiring accused persons to remain in remand until the conclusion of their trials. This step has the potential to expedite the disposal of other serious criminal cases and improve overall court efficiency.” Coalition could split if Bersatu insists on retaining top post: Analyst

PETALING JAYA: The priority of Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) special meeting tomorrow is to determine who will assume the coalition’s chairmanship, said PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s political secretary Syahir Sulaiman. “This special meeting has a clear and specific agenda – to confirm Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as PN chairman and to appoint a new chairman,” said Syahir, who is also PAS assistant secretary-general. He told theSun via WhatsApp that other matters are unlikely to be substantively discussed and, even if raised, may not be decided at the meeting. The Bachok MP said PAS’ primary concern at this juncture is to ensure the consolidation and continuity of PN’s leadership structure. The meeting is expected to shape PN’s leadership direction and internal stability following months of bickering between PAS and Bersatu. PETALING JAYA: A PAS-led Perikatan Nasional (PN) will not change anything within the coalition as it is already widely perceived to be dominated by the Islamic party, say analysts. International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst and Iseas– Yusof Ishak Institute fellow Assoc Prof Dr Syaza Shukri said PN is already dominated by PAS. “So if PAS were to officially lead the coalition, it would largely amount to the status quo,” she told theSun via WhatsApp. She cautioned that formalising PAS’ leadership could complicate PN’s efforts to appeal to the voters beyond its traditional base. “The difference is that an officially PAS-led PN may find it even more difficult to convince non-Malay voters to support the coalition. That said, even now, PN’s voter base is o PAS’ primary concern to ensure consolidation and continuity of coalition’s leadership structure, says party assistant sec-gen Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Muhyiddin’s resignation as PN chairman to be confirmed at tomorrow’s special meeting, said Syahir. – BERNAMAPIC

PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man also told theSun that the meeting’s priority is to appoint the new PN chairman. Muhyiddin had previously said PAS had agreed to abolish the PN

chairman post as part of the opposition coalition’s restructuring during a meeting between him and leaders from the Islamic party on Jan 16. This was later denied by PAS

although its secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hasan said the idea for Muhyiddin to chair the presidential council is on the table and must be collectively decided by the respective PN component presidents.

‘Little change to opposition bloc if PAS gets chairmanship’ predominantly Malay.”

if Bersatu and the other component parties wish to decide on who will be the opposition leader then PAS should be entrusted with the PN chairmanship. “For PAS, leading PN through the chairmanship is a clear demonstration of dominance. “ They currently hold political capital by defending and supporting Hamzah as opposition leader. There must be some form of reciprocity in this arrangement.” Bersatu and PAS have been at odds ever since Bersatu named Muhyiddin as the prime minister candidate at the party’s last annual general assembly. The relationship strained further following the Perlis menteri besar saga that saw PAS’ own menteri besar was replaced by a Bersatu assemblyman after losing support from the majority of the Perlis state legislative assembly. – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee

Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the internal turmoil currently facing Bersatu is unlikely to significantly alter the trajectory of PN. He said if PAS is formally given the opportunity to lead the coalition, the choice of chairman would be crucial, with Samsuri the likely compromise candidate who could be agreed upon by Bersatu and PAS. “If PAS takes the chairmanship and someone like Dr Sam leads, it could help ease tensions between PAS and Bersatu.” Azmi said PAS has strategically leveraged the controversy surrounding Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to pressure Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to relinquish the PN chairmanship. By maintaining that Hamzah remains opposition leader, PAS has positioned itself as holding moral and political leverage within the coalition. “In this situation, PAS can argue that judge is assigned solely to corruption cases, judicial efficiency improves immediately. “It allows judges to focus and manage complex, high-profile matters with greater precision, particularly cases involving prominent individuals, former politicians and high-stakes disputes.”

On the question of who might emerge as chairman, Syaza said the situation is not easily predictable. “I think even within PAS there is recognition that this is not a straightforward decision.” She said PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is seen by some as a technocratic and relatively moderate figure, is the frontrunner to become the next PN chairman. “The mention of (Terengganu menteri besar) Dr Sam suggests that PAS is aware of its own limitations and knows the importance of projecting a more moderate, technocratic image at the national level. “The key question is whether the ulama faction will be comfortable with such a figure taking on a central leadership role.” Nusantara Academy of Strategic Ragava said the initiative reflects the commitment of the judiciary under the leadership of Chief Justice Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh to strengthen the administration of justice, Bernama reported. “As the saying goes, ‘specialisation sharpens excellence’, when a dedicated High Court or a High Court

Newly set up dedicated court to handle corruption cases offers judicial efficiency KUALA LUMPUR: A newly

Sivahnathan said the dedicated court structure, linked to the existing Special Corruption Sessions Courts, would streamline corruption trials while enabling other High Court judges to concentrate on other serious criminal matters that continue to flood the courts, particularly cases under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

established Special Corruption High Court is set to reshape the handling of high-profile graft cases. Legal practitioners have described the move as a decisive push towards greater judicial efficiency and sharper case management. Criminal lawyer Sivahnathan