PN's future still 'bleak' despite appointment of new chairman - Analyst

KUALA LUMPUR - After nearly two months of uncertainty over the leadership direction of Perikatan Nasional (PN) following the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Jan 1, the political coalition has finally ended speculation with the appointment of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as its new chairman.

Announced after a special meeting of PN’s Supreme Council yesterday, the appointment of the Terengganu Menteri Besar was described by political observers as unsurprising, as it has been widely anticipated.

However, political analyst Associate Prof Dr Mazlan Ali opined that relations between Bersatu and Pas following the new leadership appointment are not yet truly stable and risk entering a "bleak” phase, as the coalition’s direction remains unclear.

"I see a bleak situation, with no clear path in the relationship between Bersatu and Pas even though they sat at the same table and agreed on the new PN chairman. It was surprising when Muhyiddin was appointed deputy chairman of PN in his capacity as Bersatu president. This is seen as a ‘downgrade’.

"Muhyiddin was previously PN chairman, a former prime minister, experienced and with many contributions. But when a younger person (Ahmad Samsuri) becomes the boss (chairman), it appears as if there is a lack of respect for Muhyiddin, and I believe members may find it difficult to accept instructions from him," he said.

Yesterday’s meeting decided to accept Muhyiddin’s resignation as PN chairman and instead appointed him deputy chairman.

The director of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur said that although PN’s top leadership portrayed the meeting as harmonious, the earlier episode of tension and Muhyiddin’s increasingly weakened position would inevitably make it difficult for the coalition to regain stability and achieve solid political consensus.

As such, Mazlan believes friction between Pas and Bersatu is likely to continue, especially since Pas’ relationship with former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin is seen as remaining good, with Pas said to be more comfortable with Hamzah’s leadership.

"This was evident when Hamzah shared a photograph with the Pas president and several other leaders of the party that went viral on social media following his expulsion (from Bersatu), reflecting the close ties between the two figures,” he said.

He added that PAS may be inclined to cooperate with Hamzah, who is seen as more acceptable and enjoying broader support, should the Larut MP take steps to form a new party.

He said Hamzah’s standing appears stronger as he reportedly has the backing of 18 out of 25 MPs from the party, in addition to 118 Bersatu division chiefs expressing solid support for him.

"If that happens, Bersatu risks being sidelined from PN, as PAS would certainly weigh its decision based on the strength of support and the coalition’s political survival. I believe there is a strong possibility that Bersatu may eventually leave PN and PAS may choose to cooperate with Hamzah," he said.

He said there is no obstacle for Hamzah to form a new party as he is not bound by the anti-party hopping law or the Constitution (Amendment) (No.3) Act 2022 (Act A1663), given that he was expelled from the party.

"The party’s Disciplinary Board decided that Hamzah’s membership rights were terminated under Clause 22.5 of the Bersatu Constitution for violating Clause 9.1.4 of the party constitution. In the polemics surrounding Hamzah’s expulsion, there is no barrier for him to form a new party.

"There is potential for Hamzah’s new party to stand stronger than Bersatu because he would bring MPs and those not aligned with Muhyiddin under the new party and cooperate with PN," he said.

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya sociopolitical analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the appointment of Ahmad Samsuri as PN’s new chairman is seen as a strategy to attract non-Malay support. - BERNAMA