08/08/2026

SATURDAY | AUG 8, 2026

3

New coalition plan ends Bersatu membership in PN o Outcome in line with opposition bloc’s constitution, says PAS president Muhyiddin, the Pagoh MP, announced last month that Bersatu intended to establish a new coalition after the Negeri Sembilan state election. He indicated that the grouping would include parties under Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat, among them Datuk Ibrahim Ali’s Putra and Parti Bersepakat Hak Rakyat Malaysia, known as Urimai. Johor state election, where it failed to win a seat. Tensions resurfaced ahead of the Negeri Sembilan election on Aug 1. PAS-led PN reached a seat-sharing agreement with Barisan Nasional (BN), under which PN contested 11 seats and BN 25. Bersatu rejected the arrangement and fielded 24 candidates under its own banner, facing PN nominees in eight seats.

PM’s aide appointed Ampang parliamentary coordinator PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has appointed his political secretary Datuk Azman Abidin as the parliamentary coordinator for Ampang, tasking him with ensuring that government aid and welfare assistance continue to reach residents. Azman said the coordination effort would involve the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Prime Minister’s Department, relevant government agencies and other stakeholders. “I have been entrusted by the Prime Minister to serve as the parliamentary coordinator for Ampang to ensure that assistance and welfare support are delivered to residents in a more organised, efficient and effective manner,” he said in a statement on Wednesday. He added that the distribution of aid would be closely coordinated with state assemblymen within the Ampang parliamentary constituency, community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure residents’ welfare continued to receive attention. Applications for welfare-related assistance in the constituency can now be submitted directly to the Office of the Political Secretary to the Prime Minister for coordination and action. “Together with my team, I am committed to carrying out this responsibility with professionalism and integrity to ensure that the welfare of the people of Ampang remains a priority,” Azman added. The appointment came a week after Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail revealed that her parliamentary service centre had been unable to access the MyKhas constituency allocation system since July 29, Bernama reported. Rodziah explained that the loss of access had disrupted the management and distribution of funds for welfare assistance, community programmes and infrastructure works under the Projek Mesra Rakyat initiative. She is the third MP from Parti Keadilan Rakyat to report losing access to the MyKhas portal, after Subang MP Wong Chen and Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung. MP vows to continue serving constituency PETALING JAYA: Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail has vowed not to give up despite the suspension of her access to the MyKhas constituency allocation system, stressing that her commitment to serving the people remains unwavering. “I expected it, but I will not give up. “My struggle is for the people. It will continue, even if I have to endure some hardship,” she told theSun . Rodziah earlier revealed that her parliamentary service centre had been unable to access the system since July 29, disrupting the management and distribution of allocations for welfare assistance, community programmes and infrastructure works under the Projek Mesra Rakyat initiative. She argued that the move would not affect her personally but the people of Ampang who depended on small-scale assistance and immediate support. Rodziah questioned whether the restriction was linked to her attendance at a programme in Petaling Jaya on May 17, where former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and former vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced their departure from the party to form Parti Bersama Malaysia. She noted that a written explanation had been submitted to PKR’s disciplinary board on June 23 but she had yet to receive a response. Rodziah stressed that she remained a PKR member, had neither resigned from the party nor declared support for another political organisation and had never opposed any law or government policy debated in Parliament. – by T.C. Khor

Hadi, who is the Marang MP, argued that PN was not required to formally notify Bersatu that its membership had ended as the party’s announcement had already triggered the relevant clause. “I don’t think PN needs to send an official letter. Our constitution says joining another party means leaving automatically.” Hadi’s latest remarks capped months of deteriorating ties between PAS and Bersatu, the two dominant parties within PN. PAS formally ended political cooperation with Bersatu in June, although both parties technically remained members of the coalition and contested under the same PN logo in the

Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Muhyiddin previously rejected calls for Bersatu to leave PN, describing the coalition as a shared “house” and insisting that his party could not be forced out as a co-founder. He also accused PAS of sidelining Bersatu and steering the coalition away from its founding principles, while PAS blamed the dispute on Bersatu’s conduct. Muhyiddin has described his proposed coalition as a “formidable” force to be established ahead of the next general election. He has also confirmed that he intends to step down as Bersatu president when his current term ends next year.

PETALING JAYA: Bersatu’s membership in Perikatan Nasional (PN) has automatically been voided following party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement that it plans to form a new coalition, said PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang. Speaking after Friday prayers in Marang, Hadi explained that the outcome was in line with PN’s constitution. “Bersatu has said it will form another team, so its membership in PN is automatically forfeited.”

Hadi said PN was not required to notify Bersatu that its membership had ended as the party’s announcement by Muhyiddin had already triggered the relevant clause. – BERNAMAPIC

Negeri Sembilan ruler swears in 10 new exco PETALING JAYA: The state government reached full strength on Friday after 10 assemblymen were sworn in as members of the state executive council before Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir at Istana Besar Seri Menanti. each member. He will oversee Islamic Affairs and Security, Finance and Land as well as Investment and Infrastructure, including matters involving the Federal Land Development Authority.

duties with honesty, fairness and professionalism. The Ruler warned them against abusing their positions to benefit themselves, their families or friends, particularly when awarding government tenders and projects. He stressed that the country needed principled leaders, cautioning that abuses of power would undermine the fair implementation of government policies. The Ruler added that success should be judged not by plans alone but by results that could be genuinely felt by the public. He urged the new administration to build on previous achievements in investment, revenue and job creation while addressing existing weaknesses. Also present were Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz and Tunku Panglima Besar Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin Tuanku Muhriz. Undang Luak of Sungei Ujong Datuk Klana Petra Muhammad Faris Johari and Undang Luak of Rembau Datuk Sedia Raja Hassan Ab Hamid also attended the ceremony. – by theSun Team

Faizal was assigned Rural and Regional Development, while Zaifulbahri will oversee Education and Human Capital. Mustapha will handle Youth and Sports, with Siow taking charge of Local Government and Housing. Umaira was assigned Women and Family Affairs, Asna Industry and Digital Affairs, Razi Agriculture and the Cost of Living, and Suhaimizan Health and National Unity. Fairuz will oversee Entrepreneurship and Climate Change, while Razali will handle Tourism and Heritage. Ismail said the line-up reflected competence, integrity and teamwork, expressing confidence that the team would deliver effective and inclusive governance. Addressing the new executive council, Tuanku Muhriz reminded members to discharge their

The ceremony completed the executive council under Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim, the Juasseh assemblyman who was sworn in last Sunday. Linggi assemblyman Datuk Mohd Faizal Ramli and Palong assemblyman Datuk Mustapha Nagoor returned from the previous administration. They were joined by eight newcomers – Datuk Zaifulbahri Idris (Chembong), Siow Kong Choon (Chennah), Siti Nur Umaira Hasim (Labu), Datuk Mohd Asna Amin (Lenggeng), Mohd Razi Mohd Ali (Sungai Lui), Suhaimizan Bizar (Gemencheh), Mohd Fairuz Mohd Isa (Serting) and Datuk Razali Abu Samah (Sikamat). Eight members are from Barisan Nasional (BN), while Fairuz and Razali represent Perikatan Nasional (PN). Ismail later announced the portfolios held by