“Tun M not down-and-out yet? Centenarian may be in contention for 3rd premiership if PAS wins GE16?”

 

MOMENTARILY, Malaysians thought they were treated to an equivalent of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! franchise right smack on the eve before the curtain comes down on the country’s 2025 political roller-coaster.

This follows a media statement making its round yesterday (Dec 30) morning claiming that Pejuang was prepared to accept PAS’ invitation to join Perikatan Nasional (PN) and would nominate twice former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the coalition’s new chairman.

However, the joy of being treated to a comical political chess in light of cracks in the domineering Opposition front with Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhytiddin Yassin set to relinquish his chairmanship effective tomorrow (Jan 1) in the aftermath of the Perlis political turmoil was short-lived.

Apparently, Pejuang information chief Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali shot down the statement as fake while condemning political foes responsible in spreading the media statement for abusing the party’s name and that of its former founder for their own political agenda.

“TunM was never consulted, informed or gave consent regarding the alleged appointment of him in any political coalition as has gone viral,” Rafique who stands out as a lawyer in the Opposition circle pointed out in a statement.

“Pejuang will contemplate appropriate action, including legal measures, in the event that the spread of such slander continues and proven disruptive to political harmony in the country.”

Malaysia’s new political landscape

With PAS and Bersatu likely to go separate ways come the 16th General Election (GE16) following a spate of resignations from Bersatu office bearers in PN led by Muhyiddin, political observers are seemingly united in “never ever count out” the 78-year-old eighth premier and Pagoh MP.

“Muhyiddin’s political moves are not over even though he has resigned as PN chairman. He’s ready with a new vehicle, the Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat (IPR) which was launched in October 2025,” envisages political observer Najib Bakar in a Facebook post.

“Muhyiddin seems to believe he’s still popular among the people. He’s only waiting for Bersatu to officially leave PN.”

On this note, PN will probably be left with PAS and “several other small parties from the former Gagasan Sejahtera coalition”.

“Gagasan Sejahtera will be re-branded to PN. Bersatu will lead the IPR which has more parties without PAS. MUDA is with the IPR,” predicted the former Economy Ministry officer who contested in the 2025 PKR leadership polls.

“BN (Barisan Nasional) has decided to contest solo. PH (Pakatan Harapan) is another coalition. This means there will be four-corner battles in Peninsular Malaysia in GE16. Really exciting. ”

While agreeing with Najib that Bersatu “would establish a new Opposition coalition in IPR”, former PKR information coordinating secretary Iswardy Morni foresees “PAS merging with UMNO to revive the Muafakat Nasional tie-up”.

“Pejuang is trying to infiltrate into PN by nominating Dr Mahathir as president (based on the fake media staterment) which if true would make PAS an eternal fool. Meanwhile, expect DAP to leave PH,” added the former PKR Petra Jaya division chief who is now an ordinary PKR member.

However, Iswardy’s anticipation of DAP leaving PH did not augur well with Madani backers who expect DAP to stick with the coalition “while BN will remain with the unity government till end of the current term”. 

- focus malaysia