KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has questioned the timing of the coalition’s deregistration, alleging that the move was politically motivated ahead of the Melaka state election.
In a statement today, Samsuri described the developments a day before the matter was brought to court as extraordinary, particularly given their proximity to the declaration of candidates for the state election.
He also highlighted a letter from the Election Commission (SPR), which he said had been sent to PN two days earlier seeking an explanation over the use of the coalition’s logo.
Samsuri alleged that the sequence of events reflected fear of PN’s growing political influence, suggesting that political interests were behind efforts to have the coalition deregistered.
“Remember, the people’s wave will not easily be extinguished by politicians hiding behind the power they wield,” he said.
He further claimed that efforts to secure PN’s prohibition had become a key performance indicator for individuals seeking to align themselves with political opponents ahead of the election.
Meanwhile, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari claimed that PN had been saved from individuals who intended to use the coalition as political leverage in negotiations between two parties.
“The reality is that PN has been saved from those who planned to use it as collateral, political dowry and a gift in the unification of two parties that have been negotiating in secret,” he said in a statement on Facebook today.
Fadli also questioned what those involved might have done had PN remained under their influence, alleging that they were already seeking mutual political support despite having limited power within their own party.
In contrast, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali blamed PAS for PN’s deregistration, accusing the coalition’s leadership of breaching its constitution and failing to comply with the Societies Act 1966.
Azmin said the Registrar of Societies Malaysia (RoS) had found that the explanations provided by PAS during the investigation were insufficient to satisfy the requirements of the law and PN’s constitution.
He said the coalition’s leadership had denied Bersatu the right to attend, express its views and vote at the PN Supreme Council meeting on July 16, 2026, in breach of Clause 7.1 of the coalition’s constitution.
Azmin said Bersatu’s complaint, lodged on Aug 11, was intended to ensure that PN was managed according to the principles of accountability, transparency and integrity.
“Today’s decision by the JPPM also proves that Bersatu was on the right side in seeking to save Perikatan Nasional,” he said in a separate statement today.
Azmin accused PAS and its allies of portraying themselves as political victims to gain public sympathy ahead of the Melaka state election.
Despite expressing disappointment over the decision, he said Bersatu would study RoS’ full findings before discussing its next course of action at the party’s Supreme Leadership Council meeting.
He added that Bersatu, as a founding member of PN, wanted to rebuild public confidence in a moderate political coalition that promoted values-based politics.
The statements highlight the deepening rift between PAS and Bersatu over PN’s deregistration, with both sides offering conflicting accounts of the dispute as the Melaka state election approaches.
Earlier today, RoS cancelled PN’s registration under subparagraph 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Societies Act 1966 (Act 832).
The decision followed PN’s failure to provide a satisfactory explanation addressing the grounds for cancellation raised in an earlier notice.
RoS said the coalition’s response did not provide sufficient justification for maintaining its registration. – October 20, 2026