On Monday, Bersatu supreme council member Yadzil Yaakub dismissed the notion that his party had been hasty in its decision, as he called on PAS to name its own prime minister candidate for discussion at the coalition level.
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man told the New Straits Times on Monday that his party respects Bersatu’s stand in making internal proposals and decisions.
However, he believes PN should prioritise strengthening itself at all levels before deciding on the coalition’s candidate for premier in the next general election.
“When the time comes, PN will announce the appropriate candidate,” he reportedly said.
PN comprises Bersatu, PAS, Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia and Malaysian Indian People’s Party.
The internal unrest in Bersatu could further undermine Muhyiddin’s nomination, Sunway University’s Wong said.
“Some in PAS may support Hamzah. Others may simply want PAS to assume the leadership position within PN,” he said.
PAS’ lukewarm response to the nomination shows the Islamist party is “signalling its ambition” and could be interested in presenting its own prime minister candidate to “seize control” of PN, Wong said.
“If there is no consensus reached, this may result in three potential PM candidates from PN: Muhyiddin, Hamzah and a PAS representative,” he said.
At this stage, PAS feels “very uneasy” that Muhyiddin could “bring Bersatu down”, something that would negatively affect PN, Azmi from the Nusantara Academy added.
“But I blame it on PAS, because they have been letting this go on for such a long time, even though PAS has more MPs compared to Bersatu.”
MUHYIDDIN FIGHTS ON?
Even so, Azmi found it “very surprising” that Muhyiddin revealed the signature campaign against him on Saturday, suggesting that the Bersatu president deliberately did this to try putting a stop to it.
Muhyiddin’s speech shows he is willing to fight this campaign, IIUM’s Syaza said, adding that he also wanted to get support from his camp “in a show of strength” that he will not be toppled.
“But by being so public about it, now there’s a perception that Bersatu is divided,” she added.
“So, I’m guessing this will continue until GE16 with opponents PH-BN and (even coalition partner) PAS using this against Bersatu.”
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