Perikatan Nasional (PN) deputy secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan has confirmed that Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin was not invited to the coalition’s Supreme Council meeting this week.
Takiyuddin stated that Muhyiddin, along with former PN secretary-general Azmin Ali and information chief Radzi Jidin, did not receive invitations as they had resigned from their respective posts.
“So the invite was only sent to those who still held positions, in accordance with PN’s constitution,” he told reporters.
Azmin had announced his resignation as PN secretary-general, effective the same day as Muhyiddin’s resignation as the coalition’s chairman on January 1.
Meeting Details and Attendees
Yesterday, FMT reported that Muhyiddin was not invited to the January 29 meeting, which is being held to appoint the coalition’s new chairman.
A source, who spoke anonymously, had argued that Muhyiddin should still be invited given his status as a party president, despite his resignation as PN chairman.
While Muhyiddin was excluded from Thursday’s meeting, other Bersatu leaders were invited according to a letter issued by Takiyuddin. These include deputy president Hamzah Zainudin and vice-president Ronald Kiandee.
Other PN component party presidents invited are Abdul Hadi Awang of PAS, Dominic Lau of Gerakan, and P Punithan of the Malaysian Indian People’s Party. Hamzah, Hadi, Lau, and Punithan all hold the position of PN deputy chairman.
Constitutional Basis for Exclusion
Muhyiddin announced his decision to step down as PN chairman on December 30, following the political crisis in Perlis.
Earlier today, a PN insider told FMT that Muhyiddin was not invited because he is no longer a member of the Supreme Council.
According to the source, the coalition’s constitution does not automatically grant party presidents membership in the PN Supreme Council.
“Muhyiddin lost his seat in the council when he resigned as PN chairman, effective January 1,” the anonymous source said.
Decision on Chairmanship Awaited
However, Takiyuddin also clarified that Muhyiddin will remain chairman if the majority of the Supreme Council’s members do not agree with his resignation.
“If the council approves the PN chairman’s resignation, then we will discuss choosing a new chairman. If it does not, that means he legally remains chairman and there is no need to appoint a new one,” he said.
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