KUALA LUMPUR — Perikatan Nasional (PN) Perak chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu has resigned from his post following the resignation of coalition chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
Muhyiddin dropped a political bombshell this morning when he confirmed his decision to step down from the coalition’s top post. Within hours of the announcement, Azmin also tendered his resignation as secretary-general.
In a statement, Ahmad Faizal said his decision was made in light of Muhyiddin’s resignation and out of respect for the chairman’s prerogative in matters of appointment.
“Taking note of the decision made by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and respecting that the power of appointment rests with the chairman, I believe this is the right call to make,” he said.
Ahmad Faizal also expressed his appreciation to the state leadership and component parties.
“I wish to record my highest appreciation and sincere thanks to the entire leadership as well as members of the component parties of Perikatan Nasional Perak for the cooperation, support and trust that have been given to me throughout the period I carried this responsibility,” he added.
Earlier, it was understood that Muhyiddin stepped down after citing escalating tensions between PAS and the Perlis Palace as a significant factor behind his decision.
Sources within PN revealed that Muhyiddin’s move was driven by mounting frustration over PAS’s sustained criticism of the Perlis Palace, which he viewed as a breach of political norms and the principles of constitutional monarchy.
The situation intensified after several PAS leaders accused the Palace of influencing the removal of the PAS-led Perlis chief minister and publicly criticised both the Palace and the Perlis Mufti, who had defended the Sultan’s role in the matter.
Tensions deepened further when the Palace appointed Bersatu assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah as the new Perlis chief minister, a move PAS perceived as a political manoeuvre by PN or Bersatu.
Muhyiddin was said to believe the dispute was damaging both PAS and PN, and felt that his leadership had failed to contain the crisis and preserve unity within the coalition. His decision to step down was viewed as an act of moral responsibility and a signal that PN could not continue a confrontational approach towards the monarchy.
He also urged PN leaders and members to return to constitutional respect and to resolve internal disputes in a more orderly and principled manner.
However, some Bersatu leaders have reportedly expressed concern that PAS’s hardline stance risks straining relations with the monarchy and further destabilising PN, arguing that Muhyiddin’s continued leadership was crucial to preventing deeper fragmentation within the coalition. – December 30, 2025