Calls by two Bersatu leaders to reinstate Muhyiddin Yassin as chairman of Perikatan Nasional (PN) do not reflect the current political landscape, according to a political analyst.
Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia questioned whether Bersatu, under Muhyiddin’s leadership, would be able to advance the inclusive Malay unity agenda highlighted by Bersatu Supreme Council member Afif Bahardin.
Bersatu’s internal divisions under scrutiny
Azmil said Bersatu continues to face internal divisions that have led to the suspension or expulsion of several elected representatives, including Hamzah Zainudin.
He questioned how Muhyiddin could unite the Malays when Bersatu itself remained divided.
Azmil also argued that PAS is, in principle, better positioned to lead PN because it holds the largest number of parliamentary seats within the coalition and has a more organised and effective political machinery.
He added that PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar should be given the opportunity to demonstrate his leadership ahead of the 16th general election before any judgment is made on his performance.
Support grows for Muhyiddin’s return
On June 9, Afif called for the PN chairmanship to be returned to Muhyiddin following PAS’s decision to end its political cooperation with Bersatu.
He said Muhyiddin possesses the credibility to champion an inclusive Malay unity agenda.
Afif’s remarks were supported by Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, who criticised Samsuri over an alleged lack of response to several key issues.
He claimed the situation had contributed to the perception that PN was inefficient and slow in responding to political developments.
Analysts question PN’s future direction
Meanwhile, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the turmoil within PN was not caused by any failure on the part of Samsuri or PAS, but rather by Bersatu’s inability to resolve its internal problems.
He said the coalition’s future remained uncertain after PAS and Bersatu severed ties, raising questions over whether PAS would leave PN or Bersatu would eventually withdraw from the coalition.
Yesterday, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari suggested that PAS and Bersatu could no longer share the same platform within PN, which also includes Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party.
He said the positions of PAS and Bersatu in the coalition would be handled in accordance with PN’s constitution and through the appropriate channels.
