KUALA LUMPUR — Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has been appointed the new chairman of Perikatan Nasional (PN) following the coalition’s extraordinary supreme council meeting today.
It’s understood that his elevation follows a proposal by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, filling a post left vacant since Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down on January 1.
In a joint statement signed by coalition leaders —Bersatu president Muhyiddin, Hadi, Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau, and Malaysian Indian Progressive Party (MIPP) president P. Punithan — PN confirmed that the meeting’s main agenda was to “approve the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin as PN chairman effective January 1, 2026, and appoint a new PN chairman.”
The council unanimously appointed Ahmad Samsuri as the new PN chairman, with immediate effect.
Dominic welcomed the appointment, describing it as aligned with PN’s commitment to inclusivity.
“We congratulate him and hope he will carry out all necessary work, especially towards achieving victory in the 16th general election,” he told reporters after the council meeting.
Ahmad Samsuri, who is also a vice-president of PAS, had resigned as PN treasurer in December 2024 and did not attend today’s Supreme Council meeting as he was not a member.
Meanwhile, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan confirmed that Muhyiddin has been appointed as PN deputy chairman, as PAS did not name a candidate to fill the position previously held by Hadi.
He added that Hadi would no longer sit on the PN Supreme Council but would remain part of the coalition’s presidential council.
On another matter, Takiyuddin said PAS will also take over the Opposition Leader’s post from Bersatu, following the sacking of Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin from Bersatu, recently.
According to him, the decision was made following discussions between the two parties. However, no decision has been made as to who from PAS will be appointed to the position.
The PN Supreme Council convened at PAS’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur for less than an hour to confirm the leadership changes.
The appointment ends a period of deadlock over the chairmanship, as Muhyiddin had insisted the position should be held by a party president, while PAS maintained this was not necessary.
Gerakan and MIPP had reportedly opposed PAS taking the chairmanship, although Gerakan has denied these claims.
Muhyiddin announced his resignation as PN chairman on December 30, 2025, effective January 1, 2026, after leading the coalition since August 7, 2020. – February 22, 2026