Dr Yadzil Yaakub, a member of Bersatu’s Supreme Council, has stressed that the selection of the Perikatan Nasional chairman is a collective decision for the coalition’s leadership to make, rather than a prize for any single component party.
Perikatan Nasional chairman to be chosen by PN Supreme Council
Speaking after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang suggested that PAS would assume leadership following Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation, Dr Yadzil said the chairmanship remains open to leaders from any of the coalition’s parties. He made clear that Muhyiddin’s resignation does not amount to an automatic transfer of power to a particular party.
“The chairman must command majority support from the top leadership, possess credibility and be able to lead the coalition into the 16th general election,” Dr Yadzil said in a statement. He added that the PN Supreme Council, not a single component party, will decide Muhyiddin’s successor.
The Melaka opposition leader set out criteria for the next Perikatan Nasional chairman, emphasising collective endorsement and practical leadership qualities. He said party rank or position should not be the decisive factor; instead the candidate’s ability to secure broad backing and to unify the coalition during a critical pre-election period will be paramount.
Dr Yadzil’s remarks come amid public speculation about leadership succession inside Perikatan Nasional. The suggestion by PAS’s president that his party should lead the coalition triggered comment from other component parties, including Bersatu, which has underscored the need for an orderly and consultative process.
He urged all component parties to accept the result of a collective vote by the PN Supreme Council. “All component parties, including PAS, must accept the outcome if their candidates fail to secure majority support,” he said, adding that Bersatu itself must be prepared to accept a decision even if the chosen leader is not from their party.
The new chairman, Dr Yadzil said, must do more than fill a vacancy. The coalition needs a leader who can mend internal rifts, bridge differences between component parties and resolve outstanding disputes that have undermined public confidence. Ensuring the coalition’s interests and public trust are prioritised over personal ambition or party hierarchy formed a key part of his statement.
Political analysts note that the process offers Perikatan Nasional an opportunity to present a united front ahead of the 16th general election. The choice of a chairman who can command majority support will affect the coalition’s campaigning strategy and its appeal to voters across the country.
For Bersatu, accepting a collective decision will test the party’s commitment to coalition discipline and its readiness to place coalition unity above factional interests. For PAS and other component parties, the process will indicate how consensus-building will operate within PN in the months ahead.
With public scrutiny on the succession process, Dr Yadzil’s call for a merit-based, majority-supported appointment aims to steer the discussion away from partisan claims and toward a transparent mechanism for selecting leadership. The PN Supreme Council is now expected to begin consultations and consider candidates who meet the criteria of credibility, broad support and the ability to lead the coalition into the forthcoming election.
Key Takeaways:
- The Perikatan Nasional chairman will be chosen by the PN Supreme Council, not by any single component party.
- Bersatu’s Dr Yadzil says the Perikatan Nasional chairman should command majority support, credibility and the ability to unite the coalition.
- All component parties, including PAS, must accept a collective decision and be prepared to support the chosen leader.
