Muhyiddin Yassin has resigned as Perikatan Nasional chairperson, effective Jan 1.
He is understood to have informed the PN MPs’ WhatsApp group that he had decided to resign, and that an official announcement would follow soon.
In a brief official statement confirming his resignation, Muhyiddin thanked all PN leaders who supported him over the past five years.
"I wish the best for all PN leaders and parties under it," he added. He did not say why he resigned.
Earlier, Bersatu MPs had confirmed news of Muhyiddin's resignation with Malaysiakini.
The decision came amid boiling tensions between PAS and Bersatu, after Bersatu leaders in Perlis initiated a coup, which led to PAS losing hold over the state government.
Since then, PAS leaders have threatened to either quit PN and pursue a fresh alliance with Umno, or to take over the PN leadership themselves.
‘Right move’
PAS information chief and Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who was among the outraged leaders, softened his tone considerably upon news of Muhyiddin's resignation.
"A clever and right move by (Muhyiddin) in a situation that PN needs momentum ahead of the 16th general election.
"Congratulations to Muhyiddin on his openness," he said.
He added that PAS would definitely submit a candidate to head the coalition, but that it might not necessarily be party president Abdul Hadi Awang.
"It won't necessarily be the party president, but an individual who inspires confidence and can harness the strengths of PN parties," Fadhli said.
PAS had previously touted Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar - who is also a PAS vice-president - as a potential prime minister candidate.
Meanwhile, a Bersatu insider, a staunch Muhyiddin loyalist, claimed that several party supreme council leaders had objected to the party president's resignation as PN chairperson.
The source claimed that the supreme council leaders instead felt it would be better to let PAS leave PN, which he claimed would also encourage MCA and MIC to join the coalition.
PAS is the major power source for PN. Of the 74 seats the coalition won in the 2022 general election, PAS won 43 and Bersatu, 31. Seven of the Bersatu seats are in PAS strongholds, Kelantan and Terengganu.
Johor PN chief follows suit
Following in Muhyiddin's footsteps, Bukit Kepong assemblyperson Dr Sahruddin Jamal also announced his resignation as the Johor PN chairperson.
"I have also lost the menteri besar position; I much prefer resigning as the Johor PN chairperson," the state Bersatu chief posted on Facebook, accompanied by a smiling emoji.
In a separate post, Sahruddin hinted at dissatisfaction with PAS over a perceived erosion of Bersatu's power within PN.
"We (Bersatu) have lost the roles of the prime minister, Johor menteri besar, and Perak menteri besar. (Yet) we remain," he said.
The Malay nationalist party had lost both the Johor and Perak menteri besar positions to Umno.
Sahruddin was appointed as the Johor menteri besar in April 2019, but he was replaced by Umno's Hasni Mohammad in February 2020 following a change in the state government's alignment.
In December 2020, Bersatu's Ahmad Faizal Azumu was forced to resign as the Perak menteri besar after he lost a vote of confidence in the state assembly. He was replaced by Umno's Saarani Mohamad.
Contrary to Sahruddin's remark, Bersatu recently gained the role of the Perlis menteri besar through the appointment of Abu Bakar Hamzah, who replaced PAS' Shukri Ramli.
Shukri resigned on Dec 25 due to health reasons, amid an attempted coup led by Bersatu and three PAS assemblypersons.
However, Bersatu’s central leadership denied involvement in any efforts to change the Perlis state government.
Component parties react
Reacting to Muhyiddin's resignation, youth leaders from three PN component parties stressed that decisions involving the coalition must be referred to and decided on by its supreme council.
In a statement, the trio said this is in line with Clause 13 of the PN constitution.
"Any decision or stance in PN's name is also not the absolute right of any component party unilaterally.
"Although all component parties can express their views, PN's stance must be decided by consensus with all component parties," they said.
The three are Bersatu Youth chief Hilman Idham, Gerakan Youth chief Lee Boon Shian, and Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP) Youth chief Justin Prabakaran.
Within Bersatu, Hilman is closely associated with Muhyiddin. During the party's general assembly in September, he called on Bersatu members to take responsibility to restore Muhyiddin’s reputation, which he said the antics of the few had tarnished.
The night before, a commotion had broken out when Muhyiddin sought to address an alleged attempt to collect signatures in a bid to unseat him.
Muhyiddin’s remarks during his policy speech prompted denials and cries of “Turun Tan Sri!” (Step down, Muhyiddin), countered with louder shouts of “Hidup Tan Sri!” (Long live Muhyiddin).
As for MIPP, its president, P Punithan, said in October that his party backs Muhyiddin as the PN prime ministerial candidate for the 16th general election.
Gerakan president Dominic Lau indicated similarly last month, saying the former prime minister has the experience, leadership qualities, and the coalition’s support. - Mkini
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