Several state leaders of Perikatan Nasional (PN) in Malaysia have tendered their resignations in the wake of Muhyiddin Yassin’s decision to step down as national chairman, but party figures insist the coalition will remain intact.
Perikatan Nasional Malaysia leadership transition
Sahruddin Jamal, who resigned as PN chairman in Johor and is believed to be the first state chief to do so, described the departures as a routine part of political organisation. “Everything appears fine,” he told local media. “We remain with PN. Only the leadership changes. When a new leadership is chosen, they will appoint appropriate people.”
Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker, who has relinquished the post of PN chairman in Negeri Sembilan, said the move would simplify the process for any incoming national chairman to form their own team. He argued that, from a constitutional and organisational perspective, appointments linked to the outgoing national chairman should logically be reconsidered to allow fresh arrangements.
Afif Bahardin, who stood down as PN secretary in Selangor after Azmin Ali resigned as state chairman, said his decision was professional. “I was appointed under his remit, so I must also make way for new leadership to be chosen,” he said.
The wave of resignations followed Muhyiddin’s announcement, which takes effect tomorrow, and was soon echoed by several state leaders including Azmin Ali, Ahmad Faizal Azumu in Perak, and Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian in Sarawak.
Observers note that the resignations were triggered by a political dispute in Perlis that culminated in the menteri besar position moving from PAS to Bersatu. That episode appears to have accelerated a reshuffle at both national and state levels within PN.
Despite the departures, party officials emphasised continuity. Sahruddin, who is also a member of Bersatu’s supreme leadership council, said the state leadership will follow directions from the party president, Muhyiddin Yassin. “We operate within one party and we have confidence and faith in Muhyiddin’s leadership,” he said.
Hanifah rejected suggestions that PN was on the verge of collapse. “PN has been accepted by the people; it will not easily collapse. All component parties are aware of this, including the government,” he said. Afif added that PN’s future will ultimately be decided by voters at the ballot box.
The resignations are notable for their speed and coordination, reflecting a common practice in Malaysian politics where state-level appointees often step down to clear the way for successors after a national leader leaves. Party insiders say the moves are largely procedural and designed to prevent administrative friction when new leaders assume office.
For now, PN supporters and party officials await further direction from national leadership. The transitional period is likely to focus on selecting state chiefs who can maintain party cohesion and prepare for upcoming political contests.
Analysts say the manner in which PN manages these changes will be important for its public image. A smooth transition would reinforce the coalition’s claim of organisational stability, while missteps could provide political opponents with openings during a sensitive period.
Key Takeaways:
- Several state chairmen of Perikatan Nasional Malaysia have resigned following Muhyiddin Yassin’s national resignation.
- Outgoing leaders say the resignations are procedural to allow new state leadership to be appointed and do not indicate the coalition’s collapse.
- Resignations followed a political dispute in Perlis that shifted the menteri besar post from PAS to Bersatu.
- Party figures say they await guidance from Muhyiddin and stress that PN remains accepted by voters.
