Hadi invokes Perlis coup in call for Malay-Muslim unity

 

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has once again called for unity among Malays but stressed that the party will not compromise on wrongdoing, even if it risks losing political power.

For example, Hadi cited the recent political coup in Perlis led by Bersatu and three PAS assemblypersons, saying it could not condone misconduct that leads to the loss of seats or the collapse of a state government, even when it involves its own elected representatives.

The Marang MP said the party’s principles and grassroots strength allowed it to withstand such setbacks, likening PAS to a tree whose roots remain firm and whose branches continue to grow despite being cut.

“PAS cannot cooperate in condoning wrongdoing, such as what has just occurred in Perlis, even if it was committed by PAS members themselves and even at the cost of losing seats that could bring down its government.

“This is because PAS has firm principles and a strong grassroots base, with branches that do not wither when cut but instead grow more numerous and more fertile shoots,” he said.

Hadi also pointed to PAS’ long history of forming alliances across political divides in pursuit of broader objectives.

He noted that PAS had cooperated with the Alliance Party in the yesteryears, comprising Umno, MCA, and MIC, during the aftermath of the May 13, 1969 incident, and later allied with Parti Semangat 46 after its split from Umno.

He added that PAS subsequently worked with PKR and DAP to oppose injustice and defend democracy, before cooperating with Umno on efforts to amend Act 355 related to syariah criminal law.

Hadi said that PAS has also never betrayed its agreements with any party and has neither weakened nor retreated in any cooperation with others.

“Only a small number have fallen by the wayside along the journey, while many more have stood with PAS once they came to know the party more closely through working together, and they acknowledged that PAS remains steadfast in upholding its principles.

“Islam has forged a golden history in a state whose territorial reach once spanned three continents - Asia, Africa, and Europe. Indeed, Islam succeeded in creating an Islamic civilisation whose contributions continue to benefit the world to this day.

“Therefore, the Malay-Muslim community must strive to restore the sovereignty of Islam in order to save the world, as the Malay world contains the largest number of Muslims, with a population that is predominantly Muslim, rich in human resources drawn from a plural society and natural resources bestowed by Allah, and endowed with a strategic geographical position within the framework of international relations,” he added.

Revisiting Pakatan Rakyat collapse

Hadi’s statement that PAS does not renege on agreements, however, contrasts with criticism from former Pakatan Rakyat partners, who blamed the Islamist party for the coalition’s collapse in 2015 following irreconcilable ideological differences.

PAS was part of Pakatan alongside PKR and DAP from 2008 until the coalition collapsed in 2015 amid deep disagreements, chiefly over PAS’ push to implement hudud and its deteriorating relationship with DAP as a consequence.

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From the perspective of its former partners, PAS is widely viewed as having broken faith with the coalition by persisting with the hudud agenda despite the lack of consensus within Pakatan.

This led to ties with DAP worsening to the point of a formal split, and ultimately moving away from the opposition framework that had delivered electoral gains in the 2008 and 2013 general elections.

From PAS’ own narrative, however, the party maintains that it did not betray the coalition but instead remained consistent with its Islamic principles.

It argues that the breakdown occurred because its partners, particularly DAP, refused to accommodate PAS’ ideological position, and that any form of cooperation that contradicts the party’s core principles is ultimately unsustainable.

Muhyiddin’s exit sets up PN tussle

Perikatan Nasional was thrown into uncertainty following the Perlis political upheaval, after which its chairperson, Muhyiddin Yassin, resigned amid mounting internal pressure and growing questions over the coalition’s direction.

Muhyiddin’s resignation is widely viewed as an attempt to contain PN’s internal turmoil, particularly amid anger within PAS after Bersatu’s move that resulted in the party being ousted from the menteri besar’s office.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin

The episode prompted some PAS leaders to push for the party to contest elections on its own, while others called for a reconsideration of reviving Muafakat Nasional, which would allow PAS and Umno to join forces again.

PAS leaders who were stoking the flames immediately turned down the temperature in response to Muhyiddin’s announcement.

Against this backdrop, Hadi sent out a notice for an urgent meeting of PN’s top leadership. The meeting aims to formally confirm Muhyiddin’s resignation and to deliberate on the appointment of a new chairman.

Muhyiddin’s resignation took effect on Jan 1, 2026.

The former prime minister’s announcement also triggered a series of resignations by Bersatu state chairpersons, including party secretary-general Azmin Ali as Selangor PN chairperson, and Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu as Perak PN chairperson.

Hadi confirmed that he had received Muhyiddin’s resignation letter on Dec 30, thanking the former prime minister for his service in leading PN.

Hadi had also declared his party’s readiness to lead PN. However, speculation persists over Muhyiddin’s successor, further fuelled by Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar’s meeting with the former premier on Jan 6. - Mkini