KUALA LUMPUR: The political landscape in Malaysia’s opposition coalition, Perikatan Nasional (PN), is facing turmoil following conflicting claims regarding leadership restructuring. Former chairman Muhyiddin Yassin announced a significant overhaul that would eliminate the chairman position, but this has been directly contested by coalition partner Parti Se-Islam Malaysia (PAS).
Proposed Restructuring by Muhyiddin
In a letter dated 27 January 2024, Muhyiddin stated that the role of chairman would be abolished as part of efforts to resolve the ongoing impasse surrounding his successor’s appointment. He proposed a new framework featuring a Presidential Council, led by his party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), and an Executive Council headed by PAS.
- Presidential Council: Acts as the highest decision-making body on coalition policies.
- Executive Council: Responsible for administering PN according to the decisions made by the Presidential Council.
Muhyiddin’s remarks emerged after a meeting on 16 January, which he claimed fostered unity among the member parties.
PAS’s Dissenting View
However, in a letter dated 28 January, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang refuted Muhyiddin’s assertions. Hadi emphasised that while the creation of a Presidential Council was discussed, the decision to abolish the chairman’s post was not agreed upon.
“We believe the chairman’s post is essential and should remain in place,” Hadi noted, indicating that there were strong disagreements within the coalition.
The Ongoing Political Crisis
This leadership dispute comes during a tumultuous period, particularly following recent political instability in the northeastern state of Perlis, where significant challenges have arisen:
- Chief Minister’s Resignation: Mohd Shukri Ramli of PAS stepped down, leading to Bersatu’s Abu Bakar Hamzah taking over.
- Coalition Dynamics: The assembly’s support structure saw a withdrawal of backing for Shukri from several assemblymen, shaking the foundation of PN’s leadership in the state.
The situation has left the coalition without an officially appointed leader since Muhyiddin’s resignation took effect on 1 January 2024.
Next Steps for PN
With the vacated chairman position and management disputes unresolved, further discussions are anticipated among the PN member parties. Muhyiddin has called for a pre-council meeting at his residence in a bid to restore consensus amongst the parties.
As PAS insists on preserving the chairman role, it’s clear that the political future of Perikatan Nasional hangs in the balance, posing questions about its effectiveness as Malaysia inches towards the deadlines for general elections.