The Bersatu supreme council has accepted party president Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as Perikatan Nasional chairperson.
Speaking to reporters at the party’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya last night, Muhyiddin, who chaired a meeting that lasted over four hours, revealed that the matter was discussed at length by all leaders in attendance.
“I explained at length the reasons and background circumstances that led me to make that decision.
“The supreme council members respected my decision.
“In any case, when the PN supreme council meeting takes place later, the matter will be decided definitively,” said the Pagoh MP past midnight.
Muhyiddin stepped down as PN chairperson on Dec 30 following a crisis in the Perlis state government, which saw relations between PAS and Bersatu become increasingly tense.
Since then, speculations have arisen over his successor, with PAS staking claims to the post without naming the party’s candidate.
“So far none,” said Muhyiddin when asked if he had received any names from PAS on the party’s candidate for the PN chairperson’s post.
Yesterday, three PN Youth chiefs, except for PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden, met Muhyiddin with a request for him to reconsider his resignation.
Asked to comment on the request by Bersatu, Gerakan, and MIPP Youth chiefs, Muhyiddin said they are entitled to their views, but his decision to resign will not change.
“That’s fine. Whoever wants to tell me what to do - that’s their view. I respect their views, but the decision is mine alone.
“I won’t explain it until the PN supreme council meeting,” he said.
Royal prerogative
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah, who was present during the meeting last night, had explained issues surrounding the crisis which saw the removal of former menteri besar Shukri Ramli from PAS.
“I want to state that we categorically deny any involvement by Bersatu. Bersatu is not involved.
“Once a decision has been made by His Royal Highness the Raja of Perlis, that is the absolute prerogative of the Raja of Perlis and must be respected,” he stressed.
“Bersatu played no role in sabotaging PAS. There was no such thing. That is the true decision.
“We strongly deny being traitors. No, nothing to do. Bersatu is not involved,” said Muhyiddin.
Muhyiddin left the party headquarters at around 12.30am to cheers from party members.
In a statement later, Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali said the supreme council has taken the position that the party will remain a principled, consistent, and loyal partner in PN.
He said cooperation within PN will continue to be preserved for the stability and strength of the coalition towards the 16th general election.
PAS welcomes decision
In a statement on Facebook, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari praised the outcome of the meeting as “very positive”.
“Praise be to God, this is a very positive outcome from the Bersatu supreme council meeting, which openly accepted Muhyiddin’s intention to step down from his position as PN chairperson.
“God willing, PN will move forward. Give PAS the opportunity to steer the leadership of PN as it heads into the 16th general election. Together, we rise and march towards Putrajaya,” he said.
On Jan 8, Fadhli said that his party had already decided on a candidate to lead the coalition.
The next day, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s statement appeared to contradict this, after he denied claims that his party had submitted names for the PN chairperson candidacy.
Instead, he said the decision has been fully entrusted to the party’s central leadership for deliberation.
Hadi said that the PAS central committee meeting, which was expected to discuss the candidacy, has been postponed to this week. - Mkini
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