KUALA LUMPUR – Former Bersatu secretary-general Wan Saiful Wan Jan has launched a scathing attack on Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, accusing him of failing to manage tensions within the coalition and calling for him to take responsibility for the growing crisis.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Wan Saiful said Muhyiddin’s inability to convene PN meetings to resolve disputes — particularly over the Perlis Menteri Besar appointment — reflected a deeper leadership failure.
“What is happening is a symbol of Muhyiddin Yassin’s failure as PN chairman, and Muhyiddin must be held responsible,” Wan Saiful wrote, questioning why Bersatu and PAS had separately submitted letters on the MB candidate instead of reaching consensus through a coalition meeting.
Wan Saiful, who was once a close ally of Muhyiddin, fell out with Bersatu after being charged with corruption in 2023 and later sidelined within the party. His departure marked a bitter split, with Wan Saiful frequently criticising Bersatu’s leadership style as “ego-driven” and dismissive of coalition partners.
He argued that PAS should take over the PN chairmanship, claiming the Islamist party’s culture of consultation was more effective than what he described as Muhyiddin’s “command-and-control” approach.
“If the change had been made earlier, perhaps the Perlis crisis could have been avoided,” he said, adding that PAS had already submitted proposals for reforms to Muhyiddin in late 2024 but no action was taken.
PAS Youth Chief’s Rebuke
Wan Saiful’s remarks came just hours after PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden issued his own sharp rebuke, lamenting that an unnamed “ally” had betrayed PAS despite years of sacrifices.
Although Afnan did not explicitly name Bersatu, his comments followed the appointment of Bersatu’s Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah as the new Perlis Menteri Besar, replacing PAS’ Mohd Shukri Ramli who stepped down citing health reasons.
Afnan recalled PAS’ loyalty after the 15th General Election, when the party supported an ally’s prime ministerial candidate despite winning the most seats. He said PAS had given up constituencies, mobilised machinery, and even allowed its Youth leaders to contest under allied banners — only to be left behind.
“Today, that friend has gone its own way, feeling strong and self-reliant. The loyal friend has been left behind. It’s fine, friend. Go ahead. From now on, do everything alone,” Afnan wrote.
Cracks in PN coalition
The twin criticisms from Wan Saiful and PAS Youth underscore widening cracks between PAS and Bersatu, the two dominant partners in PN.
While PAS leaders have hinted at the possibility of reviving Muafakat Nasional (MN) — a previous alliance with UMNO — Wan Saiful warned against breaking up PN, instead urging PAS to assume leadership of the coalition.
Observers note that the Perlis MB saga has become a flashpoint, exposing mistrust between PAS and Bersatu and raising questions about PN’s stability ahead of future elections.
For now, the coalition remains intact, but the public airing of grievances by both former and current leaders suggests that the rift between PAS and Bersatu is deepening — and Muhyiddin’s leadership is increasingly under scrutiny. – December 29, 2025