In leaked letters, Muhyiddin clashes with Hadi over PN chair 'consensus'

 

Leaked correspondence between Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, ahead of a now-cancelled PN supreme council meeting, has fuelled further speculation on who will succeed the coalition as its new chief.

The first letter, allegedly from Muhyiddin to all PN party presidents yesterday, revealed that a Jan 16 meeting at his home, attended by Hadi, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, and party secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, had reached a “consensus” to resolve matters arising from his resignation.

Describing the meeting as harmonious, Muhyiddin said Hadi began by stressing that PN must remain a coalition of parties capable of attracting support from all segments of the nation’s multiracial society.

“With this awareness, the top leadership of Bersatu and PAS agreed that, as a way out of the impasse over the appointment of a new PN chairperson, the coalition should be restructured by establishing a presidential council led by Bersatu and an executive council led by PAS.

“The main role of the presidential council is to serve as the highest body that makes PN’s policy decisions, while the executive council administers the coalition in line with the policies set by the council,” said Muhyiddin in the letter.

“With the restructuring of PN, the position of PN chairperson is abolished, and the matter of appointing a chairperson no longer arises,” said Muhyiddin.

In the letter, Muhyiddin also revealed that he had requested a cancellation of the extraordinary PN supreme council meeting called by Takiyuddin, which he was neither notified of nor invited to.

The meeting was called for, among others, discuss the appointment of a new PN chairperson.

“This agenda is not in line with the consensus reached by the top leadership of Bersatu and PAS on Jan 16 and agreed to by the presidents of Gerakan and MIPP (Malaysian Indian People’s Party),” the former premier said.

Hadi unhappy

Hadi, in a purported letter responding to Muhyiddin today, however, claimed that the proposed resolution referred to by Muhyiddin was never discussed nor agreed to.

“With regard to the statement by Muhyiddin stating, ‘with the restructuring of PN, the position of PN chairperson is abolished and the matter of appointing a PN chairperson no longer arises’, I wish to stress that this issue was never discussed or agreed to by our side, including during the meeting on Jan 16, 2026,” said Hadi.

At the same time, Hadi also listed out his party’s 14 proposals that also touched on the creation of a new presidential council that acts as a “supervisory body”, while the existing supreme council is transformed into a new executive council.

“The position of PN chairperson should also remain and not be abolished, and should be administered as provided under Clause 8.3(l) of the PN Constitution,” said the Marang MP.

Both copies of the alleged correspondence were shared with the media and in WhatsApp groups, believed to be linked to supporters of Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, who had on multiple occasions publicly denied any rift with Muhyiddin.

Takiyuddin to speak to PN parties

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Responding to the leak of Muhyiddin’s alleged letter, Takiyuddin, who condemned the move, said PAS could not confirm the details as stated, particularly on the abolition of the PN’s chairperson’s post.

"Our party is unable to endorse or approve the contents of the said letter, particularly with regard to the proposal to establish the PN presidential council and the abolition of the position of PN chairperson.

"In this regard, our party will convey its position on the matter in writing to the presidents of PN member parties for their due attention," he said today.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan

Malaysiakini has also contacted Takiyuddin and PAS to verify Hadi’s alleged response to Muhyiddin.

Since Muhyiddin’s resignation as PN chief took effect on Jan 1, Hadi and other PAS leaders have claimed their party’s stake to lead the coalition.

However, the Islamist party has yet to name its candidate, amidst reported internal differences between its professionals and clerics.

Among PAS professionals highly speculated to be nominated for the post include Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Moktar, while among senior clerics favoured include Tuan Ibrahim.

Yesterday, Tuan Ibrahim confirmed that the cancelled supreme council meeting tomorrow has been changed to a pre-council meeting at Muhyiddin’s residence. - Mkini