SUNGAI PETANI: What began as internal dissent in the country’s smallest state, Perlis, has now escalated into a major crisis within the national opposition, with analysts warning of widening cracks in Perikatan Nasional (PN) that could threaten the coalition’s survival.
Political analyst Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s sudden resignation as PN chairman has plunged the 66-seat coalition into uncertainty.
“Although Bersatu has not announced its exit from PN, the key question now is the coalition’s future. Will Pas take over the leadership entirely?” he said.
Azizuddin noted that, by convention, PN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin should assume the top post following Muhyiddin’s departure. However, Hamzah is not a party president, while Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang holds no formal position within PN.
“There are many uncertainties. Ideally, such a resignation should have been discussed in a PN leadership meeting to ensure an orderly transition. Instead, it happened suddenly and en bloc, involving Bersatu leaders,” he told Twentytwo13.
Today, former prime minister Muhyiddin announced that he would step down as PN chairman effective Jan 1, 2026.
His decision followed the Perlis political crisis, which saw Bersatu assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah appointed Menteri Besar, replacing Pas’ Mohd Shukri Ramli, who resigned citing health reasons.
“I have decided to resign as Perikatan chairman effective Jan 1, 2026. I thank the Perikatan leadership for their support during my five-year tenure and wish all component parties well,” Muhyiddin said in a brief statement.
The announcement was followed by the en bloc resignation of Bersatu leaders from PN. Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali stepped down as PN secretary-general and Selangor PN chairman; Datuk Seri Faizal Azumu resigned as Perak PN chairman; Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal quit as Johor PN chairman; and Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker relinquished his post as Negeri Sembilan PN chairman.
Azizuddin, who is also Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) at Universiti Utara Malaysia, said the fallout could affect four PN-led states – Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
“Kedah is particularly exposed because of the large number of Bersatu assemblymen. Will they resign as executive councillors after Pas refused to take up exco positions in Perlis? Could this strain cooperation in other PN-led states?” he asked.
He said Pas should have been more willing to compromise, given its internal issues and governance missteps in Perlis that led to Bersatu taking over the Menteri Besar’s post.
“Pas appears to be prioritising its own interests while accusing its coalition partner of betrayal. Coalitions cannot function on unilateral demands. I would not be surprised if Pas eventually takes over PN, prompting Bersatu and Gerakan to withdraw,” he said.
Azizuddin added that the crisis could severely weaken PN ahead of the Melaka state election due next year.
Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Professor Dr Azmi Hassan agreed, warning that Pas’ leadership could alienate other partners and voters.
“If Pas leads PN, other component parties will be uneasy about its hardline policies. This will not sit well with PN supporters,” he said.
Azmi also said Pas’ decision to stay out of the Perlis executive council line-up risked defying the wishes of the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, who had called on Pas and Bersatu to reconcile.
During Abu Bakar’s swearing-in at Istana Arau on Sunday, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin decreed that both parties must set aside their differences for the good of the state and its people.
However, Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said today that the party would not accept any exco posts in the new Perlis administration.
“Pas remains committed to the Perlis state government in line with the mandate given at the 15th General Election (GE15).
“However, we will not be part of the state executive council, and all Pas exco members will step down in solidarity with the former Menteri Besar,” he said.
Takiyuddin also said Pas was ready to lead PN to “strengthen the organisation” and prepare for the next state elections and the 16th General Election.
In response, Parti Amanah Negara vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar accused Pas of acting against the wishes of the Perlis Ruler.
“Pas’ actions amount to a ‘silent war’ against the Perlis royalty. By staying out of the exco line-up, the party has failed to accept the Ruler’s decision to appoint a Bersatu Menteri Besar,” he told Twentytwo13.
Mahfuz also accused Pas of using the Perlis crisis to deflect attention from its own internal problems dating back to late 2023.
“These issues were openly raised at the Pas convention in Pahang in 2024, where a Perlis delegate criticised Mohd Shukri for failing to attend state committee meetings and for poor political management.
“Dissatisfaction peaked when Mohd Shukri and his supporters lost in divisional elections earlier this year, after which he was removed as Pas Perlis commissioner.
“This crisis was of Pas’ own making. Yet it is now playing the victim after losing the Menteri Besar position,” he said.