Bersatu to remain in PN

 Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin says the party’s position is based on the general public’s acceptance of the coalition.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin during a press conference after the party’s Supreme Council meeting in Petaling Jaya tonight.

PETALING JAYA:

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said the party will remain with Perikatan Nasional (PN) despite recent political tensions within the opposition coalition.

PN’s most dominant party, PAS, ended its political cooperation with Bersatu last week, leaving the coalition’s status in limbo.

Speaking to reporters after Bersatu’s Supreme Council meeting here tonight, Muhyiddin cited PN’s reputation as a factor behind Bersatu’s decision to stay in PN.

“PN is a strong brand, and we will continue to remain within PN,” he said during a press conference.

“It is a (coalition) that has fought for the people, especially when it provided them with aid during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“No party can expel Bersatu from PN, because one party alone cannot remove another — there must be consensus.”

PN was formed in late February 2020 amid the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan federal government — of which Bersatu was a component party — positioning Muhyiddin to be appointed prime minister.

PN also comprises Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party.

Hadi and PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar have both said Bersatu should decide whether it wishes to remain in PN or leave the coalition.

However, PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad earlier said Bersatu would find it increasingly difficult to function effectively within the coalition under the current political circumstances.

Last week, Selangor PAS Youth suggested that Bersatu leave PN if the party is uneasy about its position in the coalition.

This followed Bersatu Supreme Council member Dr Afif Bahardin’s comments that it would be “awkward and embarrassing” for PAS to remain a PN component as it seemed the party no longer trusted Bersatu. - FMT