Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar is among the candidates being considered for the position of opposition leader in Parliament.
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan confirmed that the Kemaman MP’s current status as Perikatan Nasional chairman makes him a primary candidate for the role.
Speaking in Kota Bharu, the coalition secretary-general noted that a final appointment is expected to be made either by the end of this month or early next month.
While PAS has yet to reach a definitive conclusion, the move is seen as a way to streamline the coalition’s leadership structure.
Balancing state and federal duties
The deliberation involves evaluating whether taking on the role of opposition leader would interfere with the menteri besar’s existing responsibilities in Terengganu.
Takiyuddin pointed out that there is historical precedent for such a dual role, citing the period in 1999 when Abdul Hadi Awang served as both menteri besar and opposition leader.
He stated that the party would assess the current political climate to determine if a similar arrangement is feasible. The discussion follows a proposal by Sungai Buloh PAS chief Zaharudin Muhammad, who suggested that the appointment would ensure better coordination and prevent conflicting stances during parliamentary debates.
Potential transition in opposition leadership
The prospect of a change in leadership gained momentum after the current opposition leader, Hamzah Zainudin, indicated a willingness to step down.
The Larut MP expressed that he would relinquish the post if a majority of Perikatan Nasional parliamentarians supported a new appointment.
If the appointment proceeds, it would consolidate the roles of coalition chairman and parliamentary leader under a single individual.
This shift is intended to enhance the opposition’s effectiveness in legislative proceedings and unify the voice of the coalition’s constituent parties.
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