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PAS should assume the leadership of Perikatan Nasional following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as chairman on Jan 1, as the coalition seeks stability amid renewed internal debate, according to Datuk Dr Marzuki Mohamad.
The former political secretary-general to Muhyiddin said all parties within the opposition alliance should set aside concerns over perceptions of non-Muslim acceptance of PAS, at least for now, in the interest of maintaining cohesion within Perikatan Nasional.
“The stronger party must lead. When Pas leads, this will be the first time in our country’s political history that an Islamic party heads a national coalition,” he said.
“This is a new experiment. Naturally, there will be those who are worried, those who are anxious, and those who criticise,” he added.
Dr Marzuki said such reactions are part of a healthy democratic process and urged restraint in responding to dissent.
“That is democracy. Accept the criticism. Do not label critics with all kinds of labels,” he said in a Facebook post on Monday.
His remarks came after Perikatan Nasional deputy chairman Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang called for an emergency meeting of the coalition’s Supreme Council to formally accept and confirm Muhyiddin’s resignation and to appoint a new chairman.
The Marang MP said the call for an extraordinary meeting was in line with Clause 8.3(l)(b) of the Perikatan Nasional constitution.
Dr Marzuki, however, questioned claims by some quarters that the resignation of the coalition chairman must be decided by the Supreme Council.
“It is as if the chairman has no right to resign. This is not true,” he said.
He recounted raising the matter with the Perikatan Nasional executive secretary over who drafted the coalition’s constitution.
“I asked the PN executive secretary who drafted the PN constitution. He said he did and that it was shown to me before being submitted to the Registrar of Societies for approval. I do not remember. If it was ever shown to me, then it is my fault,” he said.
Nevertheless, Dr Marzuki stressed that Muhyiddin’s decision to step down should be respected.
“But resigning is also Tan Sri Muhyiddin’s right. Respect his right,” he said. - January 12, 2026