KUALA LUMPUR – Only two figures within Perikatan Nasional (PN) truly possess the legitimacy, experience, and broad acceptance required to lead the coalition, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
The Chief of Bersatu Negeri Sembilan, Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker, said that since Muhyiddin has resigned as PN Chairman, Hadi is the most rational, solid and credible choice to ensure continuity and stability in the coalition’s leadership.
He added that in today’s increasingly challenging and uncertain political landscape, PN needs a chairman with strong moral authority, extensive political experience, and the ability to unite the component parties in a disciplined and effective manner.
Mohamad Hanifah stressed that appointing someone other than a party president could create confusion over leadership authority.
He also noted that it could weaken the administrative chain, complicate coalition coordination, and undermine the effectiveness of strategic decision-making.
“From the perspective of principle and healthy political practice, the position of PN Chairman should be held by the president of a component party who has the highest mandate within their party structure.
“Hadi fully meets all these requirements and this cannot be disputed.
“His position as a well-known, respected, and revered national figure makes him an important asset to PN’s strength and credibility,” he said in a statement today.
Mohamad Hanifah also referred to PAS’s leadership approach based on the principle of fiqh, stating that as long as someone is capable of carrying a responsibility, the duty should continue for the greater good.
He emphasized that leadership ability should be assessed based on wisdom, experience, and the capacity for strategic decision-making, not merely peripheral factors.
Earlier, PAS Central Ulama Council chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya described the proposal by some parties to appoint Kedah Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as PN Chairman as “interesting.”
Similarly, PAS Selangor Youth Chief Mohamad Sukri Omar expressed support for the proposal, stating that the youth wing “agrees with the proposal to appoint Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as Perikatan Nasional (PN) Chairman.”
The vacancy for the PN Chairman position arose following Muhyiddin’s announcement to resign, effective 1 January 2026, after leading the coalition for more than five years.
Muhyiddin’s resignation, who is also Bersatu president, was joined by several other Bersatu leaders.
These include Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who relinquished his roles as PN Secretary-General and PN Selangor Chairman; Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu (PN Perak Chairman); and Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker (PN Negeri Sembilan Chairman). – – 1 January 2026