PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has played down speculation that he is set to assume the position of Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman following the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, indicating that the decision rests with the party’s top leadership and may not involve him.
Speaking in Kuala Lumpur on January 9, 2026, Abdul Hadi said PAS would convene a central leadership meeting in the coming week to deliberate on a suitable candidate to fill the vacant post. He stressed that while his name has been frequently mentioned, the choice of chairman would ultimately depend on collective agreement within the party, and he remained prepared to support whoever is selected.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Pagoh Member of Parliament and president of Bersatu, stepped down from the PN chairmanship at the end of December 2025, creating uncertainty over the coalition’s leadership structure. However, Abdul Hadi did not disclose a specific timeline for the meeting or when a final decision on the new chairman would be announced.
Addressing questions over the apparent delay, Abdul Hadi pointed to organisational gaps within PN following the resignation of Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali as secretary-general. He suggested that the absence of a key coordinating figure had slowed decision-making within the coalition, adding that there was a tendency for some quarters to rely heavily on his leadership experience. Despite this, he reiterated that the matter would be settled by the central leadership through proper party channels.
Beyond coalition leadership matters, Abdul Hadi also commented on political developments in Perlis. He confirmed that PAS had instructed its state assembly members not to accept offers to join the Perlis state executive council, which were extended by Menteri Besar Mohd Abu Bakar Hamzah.
According to Abdul Hadi, PAS had already taken a firm position on remaining outside the Perlis state administration, and the directive reflected a collective decision by the party’s highest leadership. He explained that participation in the current state government would contradict PAS’ principles, particularly given the circumstances surrounding the removal of former Perlis menteri besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.
He described any attempt to reverse the previous administration through political manoeuvring as unacceptable, emphasising that loyalty to agreed decisions and respect for political mandates remained central to the party’s stance.
The remarks highlight PAS’ cautious approach at both coalition and state levels, as internal deliberations continue over leadership succession within PN while the party seeks to maintain consistency in its political positioning. As discussions progress, attention is expected to focus on how PN restructures its leadership amid growing pressure for clarity and direction ahead of future political contests.
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