Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s decision to resign as chairman of Perikatan Nasional has been framed by a senior Bersatu figure as a strategic move that contains recent political turmoil and refocuses party priorities.
Redzuan Yusof, a founding member of Bersatu and former federal minister, told Free Malaysia Today that Muhyiddin’s action was a “masterstroke no one saw coming”. He argued the resignation prevented the Perlis crisis from escalating into a nationwide headache and neutralised efforts by internal critics aiming to challenge Muhyiddin’s leadership within Bersatu.
“By stepping down as PN chairman, Muhyiddin prevented the Perlis crisis from becoming a national issue,” Redzuan said, adding that the former prime minister has long been operating under a broader plan. Redzuan dismissed suggestions the move was a hasty reaction to events in Perlis, describing it instead as a calculated step to protect the party and its leadership.
Muhyiddin resignation and the Perlis fallout
Political observers say the resignation alters the balance within the opposition coalition. With Muhyiddin no longer carrying the burden of the PN chairmanship, PAS has been left to shoulder more responsibility for coalition leadership and outreach, particularly to non-Malay communities.
Redzuan said the shift allows Muhyiddin to concentrate on strengthening Bersatu internally. He noted that by relinquishing the PN chairmanship Muhyiddin effectively transferred the task of convincing non-Malay voters to PAS, a party whose conservative image has given some voters pause.
“The task of winning over non-Malay voters in the next general election has now fallen squarely on PAS’s shoulders,” Redzuan said. He warned that failure to broaden PN’s appeal could leave the coalition in opposition for another term.
Those concerns were echoed by P Ramasamy of Urimai, who said the coalition may struggle to attract non-Malay support without prominent moderate figures such as Muhyiddin and Azmin Ali, who also stepped down as PN secretary-general. Ramasamy added that many non-Malay voters view PAS as extremist and would be more comfortable if moderate leaders remained prominent within the coalition.
Supporters of Muhyiddin point out that his resignation took effect on 1 January and that he has since sought to reassure colleagues. In a New Year message to party members, Muhyiddin said he remained firmly in charge of Bersatu and urged party members to close ranks and bolster cooperation. He reiterated Bersatu’s commitment to remain a loyal partner within PN.
The immediate political test for PN and PAS will be whether they can fill the leadership gap and maintain a united front ahead of the next general election. Analysts will be watching how PAS manages internal rifts exposed by the Perlis episode and whether Bersatu can rebuild its standing without the constant distraction of coalition leadership duties.
For now, Muhyiddin’s resignation is being viewed by allies as a tactical retreat that preserves party stability and reduces the risk of a national crisis. Whether it proves a decisive manoeuvre in the longer term will depend on how effectively the coalition adapts and how voters respond to the new configuration.
Key Takeaways:
- Muhyiddin resignation is described as a calculated move that defuses the Perlis crisis and shields Bersatu from internal challenges.
- Party veteran Redzuan Yusof says the step shifts the burden of leading PN to PAS and allows Muhyiddin to focus on strengthening Bersatu.
- Critics warn the absence of leaders like Muhyiddin and Azmin could hamper PN’s appeal to non-Malay voters.
- Muhyiddin remains leader of Bersatu and has urged unity while pledging continued cooperation with PN.
