KUALA LUMPUR – A photograph showing a meeting between Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has fuelled speculation that the Terengganu Menteri Besar will be appointed as the new Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman.
The photograph was uploaded by Bachok MP Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman, who is also political secretary to PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
“Alhamdulillah. God willing,” read the caption in the Facebook post shared today.
Syahir did not provide further explanation about the image, triggering various assumptions.
Previously, Ahmad Samsuri’s name had been widely mentioned as a potential PN chairman to replace Muhyiddin, who stepped down from the position with effect from Jan 1.
Another name that had been floated, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, has rejected the offer to take up the post, instead proposing Ahmad Samsuri as a more suitable candidate to lead the coalition.
Recently, Hadi confirmed that PAS will assume the leadership of PN as coalition chairman, and that a special meeting will be held in the near future to select the new chairman.
“PAS has many suitable candidates, including politicians and technocrats. What is certain is that the chairman will be chosen from among PAS leaders,” he said.
The PN chairman position became vacant following Muhyiddin’s announcement that he would step down, effective Jan 1, 2026, after more than five years at the helm of the coalition.
Muhyiddin’s resignation, who is also Bersatu president, was accompanied by several other Bersatu leaders.
They include Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who relinquished his posts 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.– 6 January 2026