More resign after ex-Malaysian PM Muhyiddin quits as chief of opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional

KUALA LUMPUR – Former Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin is stepping down as the chairman of Perikatan Nasional (PN) after

weeks of pressure from Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS),

with the latter now pushing to take charge of the opposition coalition.

The surprise resignation is expected to spark uncertainty over who would take over the chairmanship and lead the contest against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition at the next general election, which has to be called by early 2028.

PN is the second-largest coalition with 67 seats in Parliament, just behind Datuk Seri Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) bloc, which holds 79 seats.

On Dec 30, Muhyiddin said in a statement: “I would like to thank all the PN leaders who have given me full support during my time leading PN since its establishment five years ago. I wish all the best to the PN leadership and its member parties.”

The resignation of Muhyiddin, president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, comes amid escalating tensions within the Malay Muslim-dominated PN coalition in December, after PAS accused Bersatu of backing a leadership coup in the northern state of Perlis, a state governed by the bloc.

Contenders in the running to replace Muhyiddin as PN chief include

Bersatu politician Hamzah Zainudin.

The next PN chief might also come from PAS.

Muhyiddin, 78, has served as the opposition coalition’s leader since its inception after a political crisis in 2020 that saw him appointed as Malaysia’s eighth prime minister.

He served just 17 months as premier, resigning the following year amid criticism over his handling of the Covid-19 crisis.

Domino effect nationwide

Muhyiddin’s announcement triggered a series of resignations, chiefly the coalition’s secretary-general Azmin Ali, who said that his position hinges on the former’s chairmanship. Datuk Seri Azmin also stepped down as PN’s liaison chief for Selangor.

Other state-level leaders followed suit, including Johor PN chairman Sahruddin Jamal; Perak PN chief Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who is also a Bersatu vice-president; and Negeri Sembilan PN chief Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker.

Datuk Sahruddin was previously a Johor menteri besar, before being replaced by Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad of UMNO after Bersatu’s withdrawal from the ruling PH coalition in Johor in 2020.

The PN coalition made inroads among Malaysia’s majority ethnic-Malay Muslims at the country’s 2022 General Election. Its popularity among more traditional Malays and young voters is seen as a threat to Mr Anwar’s multi-ethnic alliance.

In response to the surprise resignations, Mr Anwar said he was grateful that no such quarrel is happening within the government coalition.

“I am grateful because unity within the government is stronger, more sincere, and there are no elements of sabotage or betrayal as (is happening) to other friends,” he told the press at the Prime Minister’s Office on Dec 30.

Political analyst Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said Muhyiddin’s departure is “better late than never”, and is a welcome development for the opposition camp.

“Many in PN would sound a sigh of relief that Muhyiddin has at last come to his senses and discovered what it takes for PN to foment a credible challenge to the PH-BN unity government coalition come GE16,” Dr Ahmad Fauzi told The Straits Times.

Muhyiddin has been dogged by controversies, including

allegations of corruption

while in power, impeded by court cases tied to the allegations, and the

case of his son-in-law Muhammad Adlan Berhan,

who has been on the run since 2023 following a corruption probe.

“Within the Bersatu rank and file, many will still be hoping that Muhyiddin eventually relinquishes all his party posts and focuses on rehabilitating his national image,” Dr Ahmad Fauzi said.

This is even though Bersatu named him as its candidate for prime minister, a declaration made during its general assembly in September, which caused tensions with PAS.

Pressure from PAS

On Dec 29, a day before Muhyiddin’s resignation, PN youth chief Afnan Hamimi, who is also PAS youth chief, had accused Bersatu’s top leadership of tacitly approving

the alleged coup

against PAS’ Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.

Bersatu had denied instructing its Perlis lawmakers to sign a declaration of no confidence against Mr Mohd Shukri, and it did not discipline the five Bersatu legislators who did so. In contrast, PAS sacked three of its own assemblymen who signed the declaration.

“No order, but refused to take action. This together means that it was approved,” said Mr Afnan. “A friend who is unable to control his subordinates is a weak friend. A friend who lets a friend down is a treacherous friend.

“With what is happening in Perlis, PAS deserves to take over the leadership of PN.”

The sentiment was echoed by other PAS leaders after Muhyiddin announced his resignation.

On Dec 30, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the party is ready to lead PN ahead of the next general election.

“PAS calls on all parties to reflect and learn from what happened, and then take all steps to further strengthen the people’s trust in Perikatan Nasional,” he said.

PAS, which holds 43 of the 67 seats held by PN, is also the party with the most seats in Parliament.

Despite having almost twice as many seats as Bersatu, PN’s leadership is dominated by the smaller party, with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang serving only as one of the bloc’s four deputy chairmen.

Reacting to PAS’ ambition to take over PN, political analyst James Chin said it is a radical change for the party, which had previously been careful and kept itself in the background.

According to Professor Chin, such a move will be bad for the opposition bloc as it will no longer be seen as a coalition of equal parties but instead as an extension of the Islamist party.

PN also includes the Malaysian Indian People’s Party and the Chinese-centric Gerakan.

“It will be seen as ‘PAS Plus’, which means that PN will not be able to take seats in places like Selangor and Penang, which have a large Chinese population,” he said.

Prof Chin’s sentiment was echoed by political analyst Tunku Mohar Mokhtar at the International Islamic University Malaysia, who said that PAS may want to push for its president to be the new PN chief.

“This may not go well with Gerakan,” he said. “Bersatu would also argue that it is more moderate and has Malay support to lead the coalition.”