Latest news with #Muhyiddin Yassin
Free Malaysia Today
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
PN rejects cooperation with GRS at Sabah polls
Perikatan Nasional leader Muhyiddin Yassin said in Sandakan that PN was open to exploring electoral alliances with other parties in preparation for the Sabah election. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Perikatan Nasional has rejected any political cooperation with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah at the coming Sabah state election, with PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin saying the decision was because of what he described as a betrayal by GRS after its leaders, then in Bersatu, left in 2022. 'It's very difficult to work with GRS because the party has already turned its back on us. If you were in my position, would you want to work with them?' said Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president. 'I was the one who came up with the name GRS when they first started. Back then, it wasn't just Bersatu in the coalition – there were other parties too. I named it GRS, but it wasn't officially registered,' he said at a party event in Sandakan, according to Utusan Malaysia. Muhyiddin said PN was open to exploring electoral alliances with other parties in preparation for the Sabah polls, and would evaluate every state seat once the Sabah state assembly is dissolved. GRS was formed as an informal coalition of Sabah parties, including Sabah Bersatu, and formally registered in March 2022. Sabah Bersatu leaders left the party in December 2022, a month after a unity federal government coalition was formed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim comprising Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Parti Sarawak. The Sabah coalition had pledged support for Anwar's unity government but Bersatu was in the opposition in Parliament. Sabah Bersatu chief Hajiji Noor, who was also the chief minister, said the decision to leave the party was unanimous, and was based on the premise that the status quo was no longer tenable. GRS then dropped Bersatu as a coalition member and Hajiji announced that he would lead the semi-dormant local party Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, which was accepted as a GRS member. In January, PN deputy chairman Hamzah Zainudin said PN may contest at least 18 of the 73 seats in the Sabah election, which are expected this year. The state assembly's term expires in November, but may be dissolved sooner. PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man confirmed in May that PAS would contest at least six seats under the PN banner. GRS is in discussions with PH and BN about an electoral alliance, after the two peninsula-based parties announced they would join forces for the election, leading PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim to call for the PH-BN alliance to work with GRS. Hajiji has warned that GRS was prepared to go solo if PH teamed up with BN and maintained that Sabah-based parties should form the backbone of any alliance and lead the state government.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Good time for Bersatu leadership change, say analysts
The Port Dickson Bersatu division unanimously approved a motion calling for a leadership change that would see Hamzah Zainudin take over from Muhyiddin Yassin at the party's helm. PETALING JAYA : Two analysts say Port Dickson Bersatu's call for a 'planned leadership transition' is timely, as the party gears up for the 16th general election. On Sunday, the division unanimously approved a motion calling for a leadership change that would see Hamzah Zainudin take over from Muhyiddin Yassin at the helm of the party. The division, led by Badrul Hisham Shaharin, proposed that Hamzah, currently the Bersatu deputy president, take over as the party's 'main leader', and for vice-president Radzi Jidin to handle administrative matters. Syaza Shukri. Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) said a leadership transition at this juncture would be beneficial, as it would allow Hamzah ample time to plan and strategise for GE16, which is due by February 2028. 'If it happens later, he would just be continuing with Muhyiddin's work rather than coming up with his own plan and strategy,' she told FMT. The Port Dickson Bersatu motion, which did not explicitly call for Hamzah to take over the party presidency, proposed that Muhyiddin be made an adviser and mentor. The division's deputy chief, Akkil Aizat Othman, who tabled the motion, said Bersatu needs to adopt a more aggressive approach in its political engagement and must also reform its disciplinary and communications systems to strengthen internal cohesion and public messaging. He also said the party needed stability and a clearer direction in the lead-up to GE16, adding that it had been 'too slow' in its preparations. Strong leadership needed Syaza said that may be due to Muhyiddin, who does not project the kind of strong leadership Bersatu needs in opposition. 'Hamzah has been doing quite a lot, but we seldom hear from Muhyiddin. 'But more than that, Bersatu as a party still has not figured out its niche and therefore does not have strong grassroots support yet. So it's a combination of both,' she said. In recent months, speculation has mounted over Bersatu's leadership. Certain factions are pushing for Hamzah, who is the opposition leader in the Dewan Rakyat, to take the helm, while others aligned to Azmin Ali have called for continuity under Muhyiddin's presidency. Syaza said that if calls for a leadership change persist, Bersatu may opt to retain Muhyiddin as president to maintain party stability. 'As with almost all parties in Malaysia, they like sticking to the status quo and not challenging the leadership,' she said. Azmi Hassan. Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara also said a leadership transition would be timely, noting that Bersatu needs 'new blood' to remain relevant. 'The party's number one problem is leadership. Although Hamzah is a veteran, he represents the leadership renewal Bersatu needs to move forward,' he said. Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said Muhyiddin still enjoys majority support among the party's grassroots, citing informal feedback received from the party's 202 divisions nationwide. However, the Port Dickson division doubled down on its motion on Wednesday, with Akkil refusing to withdraw the proposal. Asked whether the motion signalled a shift in allegiance, given Badrul's perceived alignment with Azmin, Azmi said it was likely unrelated to internal party factions. 'It's more about needing to replace Muhyiddin,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Presidential council proposal a check on Muhyiddin's power, say analysts
PAS said yesterday that it had proposed the formation of a PN presidential council comprising the heads of the opposition pact's four components. PETALING JAYA : PAS's proposal for a Perikatan Nasional (PN) presidential council is likely a calculated move to dilute the influence of coalition chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, say analysts. Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the proposal could have stemmed from PAS's dissatisfaction with the current power structure in PN, especially as the party holds the most parliamentary seats – 43 – in the coalition, surpassing Bersatu's 25. Azmi Hassan. 'Presently, PAS has limited say because both the chairman and secretary-general positions are held by Bersatu. One strategy to reduce or 'water down' Bersatu's dominance is through the formation of a presidential council,' he told FMT. 'In such a council, all party leaders typically have an equal say, regardless of which party they represent. 'The formation of this council isn't about strengthening PN – it won't change much structurally – but it would give PAS the voice it deserves within the coalition,' Azmi added. PAS said yesterday that it had proposed the formation of a PN presidential council comprising the heads of the opposition pact's four components. PAS central committee member Khairil Nizam Khirudin said the council would oversee PN while an executive committee would take on the task of 'championing issues'. He said the proposal was aimed at improving and bolstering PN's administrative structure, and that the Bersatu leadership was aware of the matter. Besides PAS and Bersatu, PN also includes Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People's Party. Azmi said Muhyiddin was now facing pressure not only from within Bersatu but also from external quarters calling for his resignation as party president. On Sunday, the Port Dickson Bersatu division unanimously approved a motion calling for a leadership change that would see Hamzah Zainudin take over from Muhyiddin in helming the party. The motion, which did not explicitly suggest that Hamzah take over the party presidency, proposed that Muhyiddin be made an adviser and mentor. Universiti Malaysia Sabah analyst Syahruddin Awang Ahmad said PAS's proposal was a strategic move that could shift PN's leadership dynamics. Syahruddin Awang Ahmad. He said the mission of the Islamic party was to ensure that decisions are made collectively and fairly, in line with the vision of inclusive and stable governance. 'If the presidential council is formed, it will certainly affect Muhyiddin's position,' Syahruddin said. He said a key effect would be a limit of Muhyiddin's decision-making power, shifting the coalition towards a more balanced power-sharing model. As PN chairman, Muhyiddin currently wields significant authority over the coalition's direction and decisions. 'It would transform the role of chairman from a sole leader to more of a facilitator or chief coordinator. 'While Muhyiddin and Bersatu aim to maintain their dominance and return to government, PAS's proposal may force them to recalibrate that vision in light of a more genuine power-sharing arrangement,' he said.
