The latest public disagreement within Perikatan Nasional (PN) has revealed what many political observers have long suspected: the coalition's formal leadership structure may not reflect where actual power resides.
While Dato' Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar officially took over as PN chairman from Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on January 1, 2026, recent remarks from PAS deputy president Dato' Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad suggest that key decisions within the coalition are still tightly controlled by PAS' upper leadership rather than by the coalition chairman himself.
The controversy erupted after Muhyiddin announced that parties under the loose Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat (IPR) alliance could contest in the upcoming Melaka state election using the PN banner and logo. He also spoke confidently about PN contesting all 28 state seats and indicated that negotiations would take place through a PN-level committee.
However, PAS swiftly and publicly contradicted him.
Tuan Ibrahim categorically stated that no such matter had ever been discussed in any official PN meeting. More strikingly, he denied the existence of the committee Muhyiddin had referred to and stressed that only official PN component parties are allowed to contest under the coalition's logo.
PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad then delivered an even sharper reminder by openly declaring that Muhyiddin no longer possesses the authority to decide matters involving the coalition's logo because he is no longer PN chairman.
While the remarks were directed at Muhyiddin, they inadvertently raised another question: if Samsuri is indeed the chairman, why were PAS leaders, rather than Samsuri himself, issuing the public corrections?
The episode has fuelled perceptions that the real centre of power within PN remains firmly embedded within PAS' leadership hierarchy, particularly under PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, his deputy Tuan Ibrahim, and the influential Syura Council.
For years, PAS has maintained a unique decision-making structure unlike most political parties. While elected office bearers handle administration and public affairs, strategic and ideological directions are ultimately overseen by the Syura Council, the party's highest religious authority.
This reality has often led critics to argue that formal titles within PAS and its political alliances sometimes matter less than the positions held within the party's religious leadership structure.
The latest dispute appears to reinforce that perception.
Samsuri, who is often portrayed as a moderate and technocratic leader, has remained largely silent throughout the controversy. Instead, PAS leaders with stronger standing within the party hierarchy have taken the lead in defining what PN can or cannot do.
The contradiction also exposes growing tensions between Bersatu and PAS.
Muhyiddin's attempt to broaden cooperation through IPR appears aimed at expanding the opposition coalition's electoral reach ahead of the Melaka polls. Yet PAS' swift rejection suggests that any move affecting PN's identity, membership, or electoral strategy requires approval from a higher authority.
Adding to the intrigue is the fact that PAS representatives have reportedly been absent from recent IPR meetings, raising questions about whether the coalition truly supports Muhyiddin's broader opposition-unification strategy.
Bemban assemblyman Dr Yadzil Yaakub further intensified the debate by reminding Muhyiddin that he no longer speaks on behalf of PN and should focus on strengthening Bersatu rather than making announcements for the coalition.
Taken together, these developments paint a picture of a coalition where formal titles may not necessarily translate into political authority.
If PAS leaders can publicly overrule both the former chairman and, by implication, the current chairman's silence speaks volumes, then the question becomes unavoidable: Is Samsuri truly leading Perikatan Nasional, or is he merely the chairman on paper while the real decisions continue to be made elsewhere?
As Melaka heads towards its next state election, the answer may reveal much about the future balance of power within Malaysia's largest opposition coalition.
By: Kpost
Information Source:
TheStar , Fmt , Fmt , Fmt , Fmt
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