KUALA LUMPUR: A Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia founding member said Perikatan Nasional may lose momentum following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as chairman.
Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof said attacks against Bersatu over the Perlis political crisis were unwarranted as the party had no role in the issue.
The crisis led to the appointment of Bersatu’s Abu Bakar Hamzah as menteri besar, following the resignation of Pas‘ Mohd Shukri Ramli.
“Even the Perlis Pas Ulama Council chief (Ahmad Adnan Fadzil) has said the issue lies with some figures in Pas, not Bersatu,” he told the New Straits Times.
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On Tuesday, Adnan said Bersatu did not betray Pas in the Perlis menteri besar issue, and it was the lack of engagement with the palace that led to Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail having to exercise his discretion.
He said he was told that the ruler was open to having a Pas assemblyman fill the post, but some parties “failed to play their role appropriately”.
Redzuan said Muhyiddin had made it clear that Bersatu had never instructed its assemblymen to withdraw their support for Shukri, and that the submission of menteri besar candidates was in line with the palace’s request.
“Now Muhyiddin, who engaged with the palace and submitted names as requested, has resigned. In my opinion, this is a step backwards for PN.”
He said after the 15th General Election in 2022 and the six state elections in 2023, PN had positioned itself as a viable multiracial coalition with experience in government that could be an alternative to the ruling parties in the government.
“Pas wants the leadership role and there is no issue with that. Of course, they have to first convince coalition partners Bersatu, Gerakan and MIPP (Malaysian Indian People’s Party).
“I hope they realise the importance of being rational and pragmatic. Will the public accept the change in leadership?”
He said several analysts had noted that the support among the Malays for PN was already at the limit and that a Pas-led PN might not help the coalition get support from other communities.
“Our political system is such. That is the reality.”
Redzuan said the new PN leadership would need to think about how it plans to strengthen the coalition, especially ahead of the 16th General Election and several state elections.
Following Muhyiddin’s resignation, several Bersatu leaders announced their resignations from PN posts.
Datuk Seri Azmin Ali resigned as coalition secretary-general and Selangor PN chief, followed by the Perak, Johor and Negri Sembilan PN chiefs.
On Tuesday, Pas said it was ready to lead PN.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
