Perikatan Nasional (PN) has announced a leadership reshuffle ahead of the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, with two Bersatu leaders removed from key positions within the coalition.
PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said deputy secretary-general Azmin Ali has been relieved of his duties, while PAS election director Sanusi Nor will replace Bersatu vice-president Radzi Jidin as the coalition’s election director.
In a statement issued tonight, Samsuri, who is also a PAS vice-president, said the changes were made in preparation for the upcoming state polls.
Leadership changes ahead of state elections
Samsuri also announced that Sanusi’s previous role as PN treasurer would be filled by Malaysian Indian People’s Party deputy president S Subramaniam.
No replacement was named for Azmin’s position as deputy secretary-general.
Restructuring not discussed at opposition MPs’ meeting
Meanwhile, Pendang MP Awang Hashim said the restructuring was not raised during a meeting involving opposition MPs at PAS headquarters tonight.
“The changes in positions were not brought up during the meeting. That is a separate matter concerning PN’s administration,” he said.
Uncertainty over PN’s future
The latest reshuffle comes as uncertainty continues to surround PN following the collapse of political cooperation between PAS and Bersatu, the coalition’s two main components.
PAS ended its ties with Bersatu last week, accusing the party of becoming overly focused on political power and no longer prioritising Malay-Muslim unity.
Bersatu has since vowed to challenge PAS in the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections while maintaining that it will continue to contest under the PN banner.
PAS vice-president Amar Abdullah previously said Bersatu should leave PN if it intends to contest against PAS in the state polls.
The Johor state election is scheduled for July 11, while the Negeri Sembilan election will take place on Aug 1.
