Growing rift over PN leader candidate from Pas threatens to split coalition

 

Deputy Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and Pas vice-president Idris Ahmad at the Pas headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. - NSTP/MOHAMAD SHAHRIL BADRI SAALI

KUALA LUMPUR: A rift is emerging within Perikatan Nasional (PN) over the impending appointment of its new chief, with some parties within the coalition vehemently rejecting anyone from Pas as its chairman.

Sources indicated that the coalition could rupture if Pas insists on leading PN.

"How are we going to face our voters if someone from Pas takes over when everyone knows what their stand is on issues that affect the non-Malays? It is going to be impossible. We also know that parties in Sabah and Sarawak will never be able to work with Pas," a source told the New Straits Times.

PN is expected to hold an extraordinary meeting at the Gerakan headquarters, here, at 8.30pm on Thursday.

Its leadership was thrown into turmoil last year when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced his resignation as PN chairman effective Jan 1.

PN deputy secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan ruled out Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang as the coalition's new chairman.

He said the PN chairman does not necessarily have to be chosen from among the presidents of the coalition's component parties.

PN's constitution, he said, states that the PN chairman shall be elected by the Supreme Council and shall hold the position as long as the council desires.

"For example, if Pas wishes to appoint its deputy president or vice-president, that is entirely up to the party," Takiyuddin added.

He said this was similar to when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was appointed PN chairman.

"When it was agreed that Bersatu would lead PN as chairman, Pas accepted whoever from Bersatu was nominated by the party. And Muhyiddin was appointed to the post. Coincidentally, Muhyiddin is also the Bersatu president."

In Kota Baru, Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man confirmed that Muhyiddin was not invited to PN's extraordinary meeting.

The meeting is limited to current council members in accordance with PN's constitution.

He said Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, served as PN chairman but stepped down effective Jan 1.

"The meeting must first appoint him as a Supreme Council member before any further appointment can be made.

"This is not a major issue, as Supreme Council members can appoint him in-line with his position as Bersatu president."

He added that the extraordinary meeting was convened to address the appointment of a new chairman and related organisational matters. - NST