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A DEBATE over leadership within opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional (PN) has intensified after its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar declared that former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is no longer a candidate for the country’s top political office.
Samsuri, who also serves as Menteri Besar of Terengganu, issued the remark while responding to comments made by Muhyiddin regarding speculation over the coalition’s potential candidate for prime minister.
“Certainly, TSMY (President of bersatu, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) is also no longer a candidate for Prime Minister.”
This statement was made in response to numerous questions from journalists seeking clarification regarding Muhyiddin’s earlier remarks.
“I received many inquiries from reporters about Muhyiddin’s statement that ‘Dr Sam is the Chairman of PN, not the Prime Minister candidate.’
“Whoever the candidate may be, our current priority is to strengthen PN and consolidate national consensus to face the elections in a more prepared manner,” he said in a statement today.
Muhyiddin, the president of Bersatu, had previously clarified that the appointment of Samsuri as chairman of Perikatan Nasional should not be interpreted as confirmation that he is the coalition’s candidate for Prime Minister.
The Member of Parliament for Pagoh reportedly added that the question of a prime ministerial candidate had never been formally discussed within the coalition.
According to Muhyiddin, the decision to appoint Samsuri as PN chairman followed the insistence of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).
He added that the coalition’s supreme council had accepted the proposal, possibly as a means of giving greater space and opportunities to younger leaders.
“I have read a lot of discussions, debates for and against, whether it is possible or not, whether it is suitable or not. This is an appointment as Chairman of Perikatan Nasional, not a candidate for Prime Minister. Tuan Ibrahim (Deputy President of PAS, Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man) mentioned this, and I quote him.
“He said this is for the PN Chairman to manage the party, but if one wants to take the next step to become a candidate for the Prime Minister position, that is a separate matter and has not yet been discussed,” he said. - March 5, 2026