PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has downplayed worries among other Perikatan Nasional components about the possibility of his party assuming leadership of the opposition coalition.
He said any concerns raised by leaders and members of PN parties would be resolved once a new coalition chairman is appointed and administrative matters are fully addressed.
Need for Broad Support
Hadi stressed that both PAS and the wider PN coalition require backing from Muslims and non-Muslims alike to form a government independently.
“Concerns among leaders and members (including among non-Muslim parties) in PN will be settled once every administrative matter is sorted,” he said.
Response to Specific Claims
His remarks came in response to statements by Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan.
Wan Saiful had highlighted fears from leaders of Gerakan and MIPP that their parties might find it harder to attract non-Muslim voters if PAS headed the coalition.
Vacant Leadership Position
The PN chairman position has remained empty since Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down on January 1.
This followed political changes in Perlis that led to a switch in menteri besar between PAS and Bersatu.
Several other central and state PN leaders later resigned, including Azmin Ali, Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Sahruddin Jamal and Hanifah Abu Baker.
Hadi later indicated that PAS would assume the PN chairmanship, though the PN Supreme Council has not yet confirmed the move.
