Will Samsuri be the next PN chairman?

PASIR MAS - Pas vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar may be nominated as the next Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, replacing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who stepped down on Jan 1.

This speculation was becoming increasingly likely after Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the PN Constitution did not state that a party leader must be the PN chairman.

He said what was stated was that the PN deputy chairman was appointed from among party leaders.

"In the constitution, it is not stated, but perhaps conventionally it has been understood that way. There's no issue here as it depends on each party’s practice.

"It is not a necessity for a party leader to be the PN chairman. So I think the matter is still under discussion.

"I hope it will be resolved according to the constitutional provisions. We are confident that everyone is closely watching the developments within PN at this time," he said during a press conference on Thursday.

Earlier, he officiated the opening of Mydin Mart here, which was also attended by Mydin managing director Datuk Dr Ameer Ali Mydin.

Fadhli added that this showed PN is a rising force that is increasingly being taken seriously.

He said whether the Terengganu Menteri Besar will indeed become the PN chairman is still unknown, but Pas will submit a name.

On Tuesday, it was reported that a photo of a meeting between Muhyiddin and Samsuri, accompanied by the caption "Alhamdulillah, InsyaAllah" further fuelled speculation that the Terengganu Menteri Besar was among the shortlisted candidates for the PN chairman post.

The photo was uploaded by Pas president’s political secretary Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman on Facebook.

However, according to Syahir, the meeting between Muhyiddin and Samsuri was held based on a mandate given by Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.