Latest news with #AzminAli
Free Malaysia Today
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
PN setting up ‘executive committee' led by Azmin, says Takiyuddin
Azmin Ali is secretary-general of both Perikatan Nasional and Bersatu. KUALA LUMPUR : Perikatan Nasional is forming an 'executive committee' led by secretary-general Azmin Ali as part of efforts to strengthen the coalition's structure, says PN chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan. Takiyuddin, who is PAS secretary-general, revealed this to FMT when met at Yayasan Albukhary here. He declined to disclose further details nor did he explain the need for the new executive committee, the formation of which had been raised in recent reports. However, he brushed aside suggestions that PN – particularly Bersatu – was in disarray. He said the opposition coalition remains united and functional under its current leadership. 'I would like to confirm there is no problem in PN. We still have the same chairman, deputy chairmen and all our executive positions,' he said. Takiyuddin said the current leadership structure was already well-established, with their roles clearly defined, and there was no need for a new leadership council to manage the coalition's affairs. 'There was once a proposal for a separate body, but it's not needed now. A PN presidential council already exists. It consists of the presidents of all PN component parties and they meet regularly,' he said. Yesterday, PAS central committee member Khairil Nizam Khirudin said the party had proposed that PN establish a presidential council to oversee the coalition while an executive committee takes the lead on 'championing issues'. Khairil said the Bersatu leadership was aware of the proposal. It was previously reported that PAS had proposed restructuring PN to make Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin the head of an executive committee that manages the coalition's day-to-day affairs. Under the reported plan, the presidents of PAS, Bersatu, Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP) would form an advisory council while retaining their roles on the PN Supreme Council. This was dismissed by Hamzah as 'nonsensical stories' spread by outsiders seeking to divide Bersatu and PN. PN is currently led by its chairman, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin. Takiyuddin said PN's operations are currently carried out by the coalition's deputy chairmen, namely Hamzah, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, Gerakan president Dominic Lau and MIPP president P Punithan. 'That's the executive, then it flows from there all the way down. That's how our operations work. There's no problem,' he said. He said the coalition is working towards setting up a secretariat tasked with establishing its new headquarters. 'We are in the process (of doing so),' he said. FMT had reported that PN's office in Solaris Dutamas had been closed since March. Azmin later said the coalition decided against renewing the lease and had set up its headquarters at a temporary location while a new office was being established.
Free Malaysia Today
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
PN's headquarters closed since March, says insider
Claims have been circulating that Perikatan Nasional no longer maintains a functioning office in Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur. (Wikipedia pic) PETALING JAYA : Perikatan Nasional's headquarters in the upscale area of Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, has reportedly been closed since March. According to a party source, the party had stopped paying rental for the office, where the coalition's Supreme Council had held its meetings since PN was formed in 2020. Asked about the matter, Bersatu's information chief, Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, said queries should be directed to the coalition's secretary-general, Azmin Ali. 'That matter is related to administrative issues. You may refer to Azmin for further information,' he told FMT. FMT has sought comment from Azmin and PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan. Tun Faisal denied another claim by the party source that no meetings of the PN top brass had been held since the party's leadership reshuffle last year due to 'internal tensions'. He said the PN Supreme Council had convened at least twice this year. 'There were leadership meetings before the Ayer Kuning by-election (in April) and also when Radzi Jidin was appointed as PN information chief,' he said. The source had claimed that PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin and Azmin were attempting to avoid calling for a Supreme Council meeting in the face of pressure from PAS to restructure the coalition's leadership. PAS is said to be pushing for the presidents of PN member parties to relinquish their executive roles, and for them to form an advisory council instead. Under this proposal, Hamzah Zainudin, the parliamentary opposition leader and Bersatu deputy president, would be made PN chairman while his number two would be one of the deputy presidents of the other parties. Last week, Utusan Malaysia quoted Hamzah as dismissing talk that he was moving to oust Muhyiddin as Bersatu president. He also described the rumours as 'nonsensical stories' spread by outsiders seeking to divide Bersatu and PN.
Free Malaysia Today
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Opposition reps to raise Putra Heights blast in state assembly, says Azmin
Perikatan Nasional chief whip Azmin Ali called for a 'free and thorough' investigation into the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion. PETALING JAYA : Opposition assemblymen in Selangor are set to raise the issue of the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion in the upcoming state assembly sitting on July 7, says Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief whip Azmin Ali. Azmin said they would press for answers on the incident, which saw a massive fire engulf a gas pipeline in April, damaging hundreds of homes and injuring scores of people. 'We want to uncover any negligence or weaknesses in the approval process, whether at the level of the local authorities or state government,' he said in a statement. Azmin called for a 'free and thorough' investigation and said the report on the explosion had failed to answer key questions, despite police having classified the case as requiring no further action. 'We emphasise that this should not be viewed solely from a commercial aspect, but also through the lens of humanity and the safety of human lives,' he said. The blaze on April 1 saw flames soar over 30m high with temperatures reaching up to 1,000 degrees Celsius. There were no fatalities, but 150 victims had to seek treatment at hospitals. Firefighters took nearly eight hours to extinguish the blaze, which left a 10m-deep, 21m by 24m crater. The fire destroyed 81 houses, with structural damage exceeding 40%. Another 81 houses were partially damaged, and 57 were affected but not burned.
Free Malaysia Today
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
S'gor PH dismisses Azmin's claim that PN can take over state govt
Selangor PH secretary Khairuddin Othman says PN will face an uphill battle to take over the state, as its assemblymen have failed to effectively serve their constituencies. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Selangor Pakatan Harapan (PH) has dismissed Azmin Ali's claim that Perikatan Nasional (PN) is capable of taking over the state government at the next polls. Azmin, the Selangor PN chief, recently said the coalition could seize control of the state by winning 10 additional seats at the next state election. PN currently holds 22 out of 56 seats in the Selangor state assembly. Speaking to FMT, Selangor PH secretary Khairuddin Othman said PN would face an uphill battle to secure enough seats as its assemblymen had failed to effectively serve their constituencies. Acknowledging PN's right to aspire to govern Selangor, Khairuddin nevertheless expressed confidence that voters would be wise enough to determine which coalition genuinely prioritises their well-being. He said many of the Selangor government's current programmes had boosted public confidence in the state administration, giving PH a strong chance of retaining its position in the next state polls. 'With our strong track record in public welfare, we're confident we will reclaim PN's marginal seats in Selangor – not the other way around,' he added. In the Selangor state election in August 2023, PH, in cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN), secured 34 seats and successfully formed the state government. Khairuddin also reminded PH-BN coalition members to avoid 'shooting themselves in the foot' by openly criticising one another, warning that such behaviour would only erode public confidence in the alliance.
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Analysts split on PN's chances to retake Selangor in GE16
PETALING JAYA: Political analysts are divided over Datuk Seri Azmin Ali's bold claim that Perikatan Nasional (PN) could wrest Selangor from Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the next general election. Azmin (pic) who is Bersatu secretary-general and Selangor PN chief, said the coalition could gain 10 additional seats, enough to form the next state government. The statement, made during the Kembara Bersatu Selangor event last month, reignited debate over PN's prospects in a state long considered a PH stronghold. Backing Azmin's claim, Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the assertion is grounded in data from the August 2023 state election. 'There may be a reason why Azmin made the claim. If we look at the results of the last Selangor state election, PN needed fewer than 7,000 votes in several constituencies they lost to form the government. That confidence is based on real data,' he told theSun. Azmi noted that several seats were lost by razor-thin margins and could flip with targeted campaigning and voter turnout. He also pointed out that Pas, a key PN ally, has urged its supporters, particularly Kelantanese residing in Selangor, to switch their voting constituencies to the state, potentially shifting the electoral balance. He said PN has a better shot at capturing Selangor than taking over Pahang, another state currently under the Madani government. Among the marginal seats won with less than a 7,000-vote majority are: Sungai Air Tawar, Lembah Jaya, Taman Templer, Kota Damansara, Sekinchan, Sungai Tua, Pelabuhan Klang, Sungai Pelek, Dusun Tua, Batu Tiga, Kuala Kubu Baharu, Meru and Tanjong Sepat. However, Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub offered a contrasting view, arguing that PN had already peaked. 'The major wave during the last state elections saw PN penetrate nearly all Malay-majority areas in Selangor. What remains now are the urban and non-Malay dominant constituencies, which are still under PH control.' Despite unresolved political issues under the unity government, Mohammad Tawfik observed that non-Malay voters – especially the Chinese – continue to back PH, with DAP remaining their party of choice. He added that PN should broaden its appeal among non-Malay voters, particularly in urban areas. 'They must also focus on retaining the two marginal seats they narrowly won – Gombak Setia (58-vote majority) and Taman Medan (30-vote majority).' Similarly, Universiti Utara Malaysia deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said Azmin's remarks appeared to be more about boosting PN morale than presenting a realistic scenario. 'PN appears sluggish and fragmented. There are signs of internal friction, especially between Pas and Bersatu, as well as unresolved leadership rivalries. 'In my view, PN currently lacks a compelling agenda for voters. Relying solely on sentiment won't be enough.' Echoing that view, University of Tasmania Asia Studies professor James Chin said PN's weak support among non-Malays remains a key obstacle in Selangor. 'It is highly likely that PH will retain Selangor due to DAP's strong grip on Chinese support. As long as that remains, it's difficult to see PN making real inroads.' PH won 34 of the 56 seats in Selangor during the 2023 state election. The coalition has governed the state since 2008.
