An analyst has cautioned that Perikatan Nasional (PN) could face a damaging “two captains” power struggle unless it clearly defines the authority within its proposed presidential council.
Need for clear leadership mechanism
Syaza Shukri from International Islamic University Malaysia said PN must specify where real decision-making power would rest – with the PN chairman or the head of the presidential council – if such a council is formed.
She noted that this controversy might have been avoided if PN had stuck to its earlier practice of appointing a chairman from among component party leaders, as happened when Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin held the position.
“However, when PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang declined the position due to health reasons, it created a dilemma, making it appear as though there was an attempt to bring Muhyiddin back as head of the presidential council,” she told FMT.
“In a situation where there is both a council head and a PN chairman, there must be a clearly defined mechanism to resolve differences of opinion and determine who has greater authority.”
Syaza was responding to concerns that reviving the council, as proposed by PAS, could lead to PN being run by two competing power centres.
Dual leadership concerns and compromise
On Wednesday, Malaysiakini quoted sources saying PN plans to establish the presidential council as a compromise between PAS and Bersatu, potentially allowing Muhyiddin to keep a leadership role after stepping down as chairman on January 1.
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan stated that his party has no objection to Muhyiddin taking up the chairmanship of the council.
However, analyst Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri warned that having two centres of power would weaken the coalition.
“Two captains on one ship will only create confusion, especially when PAS has more seats than Bersatu,” said the analyst from Global Asia Consulting.
Temporary fix for unity and election prospects
Azmil Tayeb from Universiti Sains Malaysia suggested that pushing ahead with the council could be a short-term step to patch up relations between PAS and Bersatu and restore PN’s public image.
“This also ensures that there will be no sabotage and fragmentation of the Malay vote. They may feel it is necessary to set aside their differences for now to improve their chances in the 16th general election,” he said.
PN’s Supreme Council had been scheduled to choose a new chairman at a meeting tomorrow, but the gathering has been cancelled. Instead, the heads of PN’s four component parties will meet at Muhyiddin’s home.
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar have been mentioned as possible candidates for the chairman post.
