ALOR SETAR, Sept 15 — Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) supreme council will meet next week to decide on the coalition’s candidate for Malaysia’s 11th prime minister, following calls for PAS to take the lead.
Coalition chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said PAS, being the largest party in PN, has the right to nominate anyone it deems fit for both the PN chairmanship and the premiership, according to a report published in Berita Harian today.
“This is PAS‘ right — to name whoever they wish, whether as PN chairman or as prime minister candidate. They have already voiced this at their muktamar, while Bersatu raised it during their general assembly.
“What matters is that we will convene the PN supreme council meeting next week to deliberate before making a decision,” he said after officiating PAS’ 71st annual congress in Kota Sarang Semut, Kedah, today.
On Friday, PAS Youth passed a motion demanding the party lead PN and field a prime minister candidate ahead of the next general election (GE16).
The motion was also personally endorsed by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin at a press conference after opening the party’s Ulama congress on Saturday.
Addressing speculation of tensions between PAS and Bersatu, Muhyiddin insisted ties remain strong after seven years of cooperation.
“PAS and Bersatu are close, very close. Perhaps some don’t like how close we are, but to me, the journey so far has been good.
“We’ve achieved big wins together, including securing many seats in the last general election. Our cooperation in Parliament is also strong, with Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin enjoying full backing from all PN MPs.
“This good relationship extends not just at the top, but also at grassroots level,” he said.
