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TASEK Gelugor Member of Parliament Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan has questioned the leadership of Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin over his handling of the Perlis political crisis, arguing that the failure to convene an urgent Perikatan Nasional meeting led to confusion and competing nominations for the post of Menteri Besar.
Wan Saiful said Muhyiddin, as chairman of Perikatan Nasional, should have immediately called a coalition meeting once tensions emerged in the Perlis state government. Instead, he said, Bersatu and PAS submitted separate lists of candidates to the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, reflecting a breakdown in coalition coordination.
As a result, Wan Saiful said the episode caused serious damage to Perikatan Nasional, to the extent that some quarters began suggesting PAS should leave the coalition and revive Muafakat Nasional.
“I stress that what happened is a symbol of Muhyiddin’s failure as PN chairman and he must take responsibility,” Wan Saiful said in a Facebook post on Monday.
“Until today, Muhyiddin has not called a meeting as if he does not even care about what is happening. Perhaps he is enjoying himself in England,” he added.
The Perlis crisis began after five Bersatu assemblymen and three PAS assemblymen reportedly submitted statutory declarations to the palace seeking to replace Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.
On December 26, Bersatu proposed three candidates, Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah, Pauh assemblyman Megat Hashirat Hassan and Titi Tinggi assemblyman Izizam Ibrahim. PAS subsequently submitted two names of its own.
The developments followed Mohd Shukri’s announcement on December 25 that he was resigning voluntarily as Menteri Besar due to health reasons. The impasse ended when Abu Bakar Hamzah, a Bersatu assemblyman, was sworn in as the ninth Menteri Besar of Perlis on Sunday.
Wan Saiful said Muhyiddin’s weaknesses had been apparent for some time, claiming that as early as December 2024, PAS had written to Muhyiddin proposing significant reforms within Perikatan Nasional, but no action was taken despite the issues being clearly identified.
He rejected calls for PAS to leave the coalition, describing such proposals as contradictory to the idea of Muslim unity.
“For me, the suggestion that PAS should leave PN is wrong. It is awkward to talk about unity of the ummah and then choose a path that breaks existing unity,” he said.
Instead, Wan Saiful proposed that PAS take over the chairmanship of Perikatan Nasional and implement the reforms that had long been suggested.
He said other component parties, including Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, should accept PAS as PN chairman with an open mind.
“I am aware of concerns among non-Malay PN component parties. But if managed properly, it can be handled. We must remember PAS is not a party of children and they know what needs to be done,” he said.
He added that reviving Muafakat Nasional after such reforms would allow all parties, including non-political organisations, to unite under a common agenda, which he described as “true unity”.
Wan Saiful said the proposal for PAS to assume the PN chairmanship had been raised more than a year ago but left unaddressed.
“I hope PAS does not continue with this approach. The change should have been implemented earlier. Perhaps the Perlis crisis could have been avoided because PAS’ culture of consultation is far better than the ‘I have power, I give orders’ approach practised by Muhyiddin over the past one or two years,” he said.
Separately, Bersatu denied the authenticity of a statement circulating on social media regarding the appointment of the Perlis Menteri Besar, saying no such media release had been issued by the party leadership or secretariat.
“The above media statement is fake. Please take note. Thank you,” the party said in a brief response.
Earlier, Mohd Shukri Ramli, the Sanglang assemblyman, had confirmed that he resigned only as Menteri Besar on health grounds and remained the elected representative for Sanglang.
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang later claimed that pressure to approve large projects without adhering to regulations, involving alleged elements of misconduct and corruption, was a key factor behind the Perlis political crisis.
He was reported as saying that such pressure made it impossible for Mohd Shukri to comply with actions that were wrong. - December 29, 2025