Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's ability to lead efforts to unite Malay voters has been questioned by a political analyst who said his own party, Bersatu, remains mired in internal divisions, as Perikatan Nasional faces uncertainty ahead of crucial state elections.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political scientist Azmil Tayeb was quoted by Free Malaysia Today as saying Bersatu continues to grapple with internal divisions that have resulted in a number of its elected representatives being suspended or expelled, including former opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
"How can Muhyiddin unite the Malays when Bersatu itself remains divided?" Azmil told Free Malaysia Today, adding that PAS was, in principle, better positioned to lead PN given that it holds the largest number of parliamentary seats in the coalition and possesses a more organised political machinery.
Azmil said PN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar should be given the opportunity to lead the coalition into the 16th general election before his performance is assessed, effectively pushing back against calls within Bersatu for Muhyiddin to reclaim the PN chairmanship.
The comments follow a call by Bersatu Supreme Council member Dr Afif Bahardin for the PN chairmanship to be returned to Muhyiddin after PAS's decision to end its political cooperation with Bersatu. Afif said Muhyiddin had the credibility to champion an inclusive Malay unity agenda.
His statement was backed by Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, who criticised Ahmad Samsuri for what he described as an alleged lack of response to several key political issues, claiming this had contributed to perceptions of PN being inefficient and slow in reacting to political developments.
However, Akademi Nusantara political analyst Azmi Hassan offered a different assessment, arguing that the turmoil in PN was not due to any failure on the part of Ahmad Samsuri or PAS, but rather Bersatu's inability to manage its internal problems.
"We still do not know what PN's future status will be now that its two main parties, PAS and Bersatu, have severed ties," Azmi said. "The question is whether PAS will leave PN, or whether Bersatu will eventually withdraw from the coalition."
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari signaled on Monday that his party and Bersatu could no longer share the same platform in PN, which also includes Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People's Party, adding that the positions of both parties in the coalition would be managed in accordance with the coalition's constitution.
The leadership dispute within PN carries direct implications for the pending Negeri Sembilan and Johor state elections, where the coalition's ability to present a unified front could determine whether it can capitalise on voter discontent or cede ground to Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.
Sources: Free Malaysia Today
