Pn Faces Leadership Rift As Pm Picks Clash

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PAS Youth has disregarded messages from the party’s highest leadership and backed its deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man as their prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming 16th General Election (GE16). They also chose Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as their second best candidate.
This sparked a clash within the Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance, as Bersatu has named former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as its candidate.
PAS Youth’s move is likely to raise questions over the coalition’s unity, already shaken during Bersatu’s Annual General Meeting when some members openly challenged Muhyiddin and expressed dissatisfaction with his leadership during his speech.
The contrasting positions will definitely highlight simmering tensions between PN’s key components.
Analysts warn the disunity could weaken PN’s appeal as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gains new allies, with Barisan Nasional (BN) increasingly leaning towards Pakatan Harapan (PH).
This potential PH-BN alignment would create a stronger bloc compared to GE15 in 2022, when Malaysia saw a three-way fight between PH, BN, and PN.

Observers say PN must quickly resolve its leadership question or risk losing momentum against a reinvigorated government front heading into GE16.
Note that the PAS deputy president, Tuan Ibrahim, had said the party will not rush to name PN’s prime ministerial candidate for GE16.
Instead, PAS will prioritise strengthening the PN’s election machinery, stressing that each party has the right to propose leaders.
He noted PAS has many capable figures but emphasised the coalition should first focus on securing victory before deciding on the premiership. —  Focus Malaysia

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