KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan and the Malaysia Indian People’s Party (MIPP) have rejected a Pas nominee for the post of Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, insisting that the position should remain with Bersatu leadership.
A Gerakan source said the party would not support a Pas candidate and would only agree to either Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin or deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin to lead PN.
“We do not agree with Pas leading PN. We have already supported Muhyiddin or Hamzah as candidates for the new PN chairman,” the source told Berita Harian.
The disagreement comes as internal wrangling between Bersatu and Pas over the PN chairmanship has dragged on for nearly a month, with both parties seen manoeuvring to retain dominance over the coalition’s top post ahead of the extraordinary meeting.
Pas has confirmed that it has named and decided on a candidate from within its ranks for the position, a move that has triggered resistance from Gerakan and MIPP.
MIPP Youth chief Justin Prabakaran has previously called for Muhyiddin to continue leading PN, particularly in preparation for the 16th General Election, stressing that the chairman’s post must be held by a legitimate and inclusive leader who is accepted by Malaysians of all races and has a proven track record.
Although Hamzah, who is currently the Opposition Leader in the Dewan Rakyat, has also been linked to the post, there has been resistance within Bersatu, where some leaders have stipulated that the PN chairman must be chosen from among party presidents.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hasan confirmed that Pas would not nominate its president, Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, as the new PN chairman.
“However, I am not in a position to announce the name. Only the Pas president can do so when the time comes, and that time will be very soon.
“Our meeting is on Thursday, just three days away,” he said at a press conference at Pas headquarters.
He added that the nomination could be made during the meeting itself, subject to the acceptance of the resignation agenda.
Recent media reports have suggested that Pas vice-president and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar is likely to be named by the party to fill the vacancy left by Muhyiddin.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Pagoh MP, resigned as PN chairman with effect from Jan 1.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
