Samsuri named opposition leader

 The decision was made by the Perikatan Nasional Supreme Council during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur today.

Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar is expected to coordinate opposition strategy and represent the bloc in parliamentary debates and key national policy discussions in his new role as opposition leader. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Perikatan Nasional chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has been appointed the new opposition leader.

PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the decision was made by the coalition’s Supreme Council during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur today.

Takiyuddin said the council agreed to entrust the Kemaman MP with the responsibility of leading the opposition bloc in Parliament.

Samsuri, who is also the Terengganu menteri besar, is expected to coordinate opposition strategy and lead the bloc in parliamentary debates and key national policy discussions.

Takiyuddin said the council also discussed broader political cooperation, including agreeing to form electoral pacts with parties that share common interests with PN.

He said the council also deliberated on current national issues of public concern, stressing its continued role as a “responsible, constructive and principled” check-and-balance force.

Samsuri succeeds Hamzah Zainudin as the opposition leader.

Hamzah was sacked from Bersatu in February at the height of a leadership tussle with party president Muhyiddin Yassin.

On April 12, Samsuri said Hamzah was no longer the opposition leader and that he had instructed Takiyuddin to send an official letter informing the Dewan Rakyat speaker of the vacancy.

However, speaker Johari Abdul was reported to have said he had yet to be informed of Hamzah’s resignation. As such, he technically remained the opposition leader.

In February, Samsuri was appointed PN chairman to replace Muhyiddin, who had resigned from the post earlier.

It was also agreed that PAS would take over the role of opposition leader in Parliament. - FMT