A deepening rift within Perikatan Nasional has intensified as a senior Bersatu leader called on PAS to stop using the coalition's logo if it continues to act against PN's joint decisions and constitution, just weeks before the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.
Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said the idea for Perikatan Nasional's establishment came from Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, and it was Bersatu that devised PN's constitution and logo and registered the coalition. He asserted that those who act against the coalition's constitution and official decisions are damaging its brand.
"If a party has cut ties with Bersatu, refuses to abide by joint decisions, and is no longer committed to PN's identity and direction, the people would be right to ask if it truly seeks to strengthen PN or is moving in a different direction," Tun Faisal told Free Malaysia Today.
"Would it not be more honest and responsible to contest on your own identity, than to continue to use the PN logo while simultaneously weakening the basis of its formation?" he asked.
The remarks come after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang announced the reappointment of Hamzah Zainudin as parliamentary opposition leader and confirmed that Hamzah's newly launched Parti Wawasan Negara would be permitted to use the PN logo in the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.
Marzuki Mohamad, a former principal private secretary to Muhyiddin Yassin, had earlier accused Hadi of acting like PN's "supreme leader," claiming the decisions on Hamzah's appointment and the use of the PN logo were not discussed in a PN Supreme Council meeting. Marzuki said Hamzah's appointment contradicted PN's May 16 decision to appoint PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as opposition leader.
PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad defended his party's position, saying PAS has the right to use the PN logo based on its status as one of PN's four component parties alongside Bersatu, Gerakan, and MIPP.
Last Monday, Hadi announced that PAS's central committee had decided to end political cooperation with Bersatu and would explore forming a new political pact ahead of the coming elections. However, the party has not formally exited Perikatan Nasional.
The dispute highlights growing tensions within the opposition alliance as both Johor and Negeri Sembilan head toward state elections, with the Election Commission having set polling dates that will see both states go to the ballot box simultaneously. Analysts have noted that the internal rift could complicate seat negotiations and voter messaging for the opposition bloc.
Bersatu and PAS are founding members of PN but have been at loggerheads in recent months over seat allocations, leadership positions, and strategic direction. The outcome of the current dispute could reshape the opposition landscape ahead of the state polls.
Sources: Free Malaysia Today
