KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s decision to step down as Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman marks the start of a new challenge, but it was not linked to recent political turmoil in Perlis, veteran politician Tan Sri Annuar Musa said.
Annuar, who is Pas central committee member, said he met Muhyiddin in London yesterday, where they spoke for nearly three hours about recent political developments within PN.
He said Muhyiddin had consistently expressed his willingness to relinquish the PN chairmanship if Pas wished to lead the coalition.
“Touching on the matter of PN leadership, TSMY (Muhyiddin) was very consistent.
“He told me repeatedly, no fewer than five times, that ‘if Pas wanted to lead PN, I am ready at any time to step aside.’
“He even hinted that it could take effect from 1 January,” Annuar said in a Facebook post today.
He said it was therefore inaccurate to link Muhyiddin’s resignation to the Perlis crisis, adding that the PN founder had long and consistently stated his readiness to hand over the leadership should Pas request it.
Annuar said Muhyiddin had also given him the mandate to inform the Pas leadership, but he chose not to do so, as he was not acting as an intermediary.
“Within Pas, organisational discipline is observed. It was also understood that Pas had a daily executive committee meeting on the night of the 29th, where all matters are discussed thoroughly and with due decorum,” he said.
He added that he had informed several Pas leaders in advance of his meeting with Muhyiddin to avoid any misunderstanding, and that the meeting was between friends and not conducted on behalf of the party.
Annuar described Muhyiddin’s decision to step aside and allow for a ‘rotation of the helm’ as a commendable and statesmanlike move.
He said leadership of the coalition would be transferred to a new figure to be decided by PN’s highest body in accordance with the coalition’s constitution.
Annuar also expressed his appreciation to Muhyiddin for his service and contributions in leading PN.
“PN will continue to be strengthened, InshaAllah, but there are still many issues and problems that need to be managed and addressed.
“A new challenge has begun,” he said.
The political turmoil in Perlis began after eight PN state assemblymen — five from Bersatu and three from Pas were reported to have submitted statutory declarations to the Istana Arau, withdrawing their support for the former Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.
The move led to Mohd Shukri’s resignation last Thursday, with Bersatu’s Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah appointed as his successor.
Earlier today, five Bersatu leaders announced their resignation from PN, including its chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Perak chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Negri Sembilan chairman Hanifah Abu Baker and Johor chairman Sahruddin Jamal, amid tensions between Bersatu and Pas.
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