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PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) is poised for a leadership transition after its chairman, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, stepped down with immediate effect.
Attention has turned to PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang as the most likely candidate to assume the role, according to Datuk Kamaruddin Md Noor, Chairman of Bersatu Kelantan.
Kamaruddin said the prominence of PAS and BERSATU as the coalition’s two largest component parties underpins the logic of a PAS leader taking the helm.
He noted that Muhyiddin had previously offered the position to Abdul Hadi, an offer which the Marang MP declined at the time.
“Muhyiddin once offered the position to Abdul Hadi, but he turned it down,” Kamaruddin said.
“Considering that in PN there are only two major parties—BERSATU and PAS—compared to the others, the logical choice for the next PN Chairman is someone from PAS.
“According to PN’s constitution, the person who leads PN is the head of their respective party. If PAS leads PN, then naturally it would be Tan Sri Abdul Hadi.”
Kamaruddin spoke after welcoming tourists at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 celebrations.
While PAS has previously indicated that its nominee for PN leadership need not necessarily be Abdul Hadi, the party’s Chief of Information, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, emphasised that the person chosen must command unity and strength within the coalition.
“For the appointment of the PN Chairman, all party leaders in PN will discuss to reach a consensus on the new appointment,” Ahmad Fadhli said.
He added that BERSATU has no objections if the new PN chairman is appointed from PAS.
PAS Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has confirmed that the party intends to propose several names for the chairmanship to replace Muhyiddin.
The matter is expected to be deliberated at an upcoming Perikatan Nasional Supreme Council meeting. - January 1, 2026