Gerakan and the Malaysia Indian People’s Party have firmly rejected any PAS nominee for the Perikatan Nasional chairman post, insisting the position should stay with Bersatu leadership.
Parties Stand Firm on Bersatu Candidate
A Gerakan source told Berita Harian that the party will not back a PAS candidate and will only support either Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin or deputy president Hamzah Zainudin to lead PN.
“We do not agree with PAS leading PN. We have already made clear our support for Muhyiddin or Hamzah as the new PN chairman,” the source said.
This stance comes amid ongoing internal tensions between Bersatu and PAS over the coalition’s top leadership role, now stretching nearly a month.
Both sides appear to be positioning themselves ahead of PN’s extraordinary meeting.
PAS Confirms Own Nominee
PAS has confirmed it has selected and finalised a candidate from within its own ranks for the chairman position.
The move has sparked clear resistance from Gerakan and MIPP.
MIPP Youth chief Justin Prabakaran has previously urged Muhyiddin to remain as PN chairman, especially with the 16th General Election on the horizon.
He stressed the need for a leader who is legitimate, inclusive, widely accepted across all races in Malaysia, and backed by a strong track record.
Resistance and Conditions Within Bersatu
While Hamzah Zainudin – currently the Opposition Leader in the Dewan Rakyat – has also been mentioned as a possible candidate, some leaders within Bersatu insist the PN chairman must come from among the presidents of component parties.
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan clarified that his party would not nominate its president Abdul Hadi Awang for the role.
“However, I am not in a position to announce the name. Only the PAS president can do so when the time comes, and that time will be very soon,” he told reporters at PAS headquarters.
“Our meeting is on Thursday, just three days away,” he added.
Takiyuddin said the nomination could be presented during the meeting itself, depending on acceptance of the resignation agenda.
Speculation on Likely Candidate
Recent media reports have pointed to PAS vice-president and Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as the probable nominee from PAS to fill the vacancy.
Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Pagoh MP, stepped down as PN chairman effective January 1.
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