The proposal to appoint Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as the next chairman of Perikatan Nasional (PN) has begun to gain attention within PAS, with senior party figures describing the idea as noteworthy amid ongoing leadership uncertainty in the coalition.
Central PAS Ulema Council chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya indicated that the suggestion deserved serious consideration, noting that discussions around Sanusi’s name had intensified following the announcement of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as PN chairman. Muhyiddin’s decision, which takes effect on January 1, 2026, has triggered fresh debate over the future direction and leadership structure of the opposition bloc.
Ahmad, who is also the Pokok Sena Member of Parliament, observed that multiple quarters had floated Sanusi as a potential successor on January 1, 2026, reflecting broader interest within political circles. He viewed the proposal as an interesting development, signalling openness to new leadership possibilities as PN navigates a period of transition.
Muhyiddin formally stepped down after five years at the helm of PN, a coalition he led from its official registration on August 7, 2020. During his tenure, the former prime minister played a central role in shaping PN’s national political strategy and consolidating its position as a major opposition force. His departure, however, has exposed underlying strains within the coalition, particularly between PAS and Bersatu.
Calls for PAS to assume the PN chairmanship had already surfaced prior to Muhyiddin’s resignation. Among the more vocal advocates was PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden, who openly urged that the leadership role be entrusted to the party. These demands gained further momentum following political developments in Perlis, which reportedly deepened tensions between PAS and Bersatu.
The situation in Perlis culminated in the resignation of PAS assemblyman Mohd Shukri Ramli from his position as Menteri Besar, a move that sparked widespread reactions among PN leaders and supporters. The episode has been widely interpreted as a reflection of internal friction within the coalition, reinforcing arguments that PN requires restructuring ahead of the 16th general election.
Against this backdrop, Sanusi’s emergence as a potential candidate is seen by observers as symbolising a generational and strategic shift. As a prominent PAS leader with executive experience at the state level, his name adds a new dimension to the leadership debate, which has so far centred largely on party presidents and senior figures.
While no formal decision has been made, PAS leaders have repeatedly stressed that any appointment to the PN chairmanship must be agreed upon collectively by the coalition’s top leadership. With PN expected to deliberate its future leadership structure in the coming weeks, Sanusi’s candidacy underscores the growing appetite for recalibration within the opposition alliance as it prepares for the political battles ahead.
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