UMNO’s Supreme Council member Datuk Dr. Mohd. Puad Zarkashi has alleged that certain DAP leaders are seeking ways to force UMNO out of the Madani Government.
“These DAP leaders believe UMNO’s presence in the Cabinet is cumbersome and obstructive to a larger agenda of turning Malaysia into a liberal state,” he claimed. “That is why they provoke sensitive issues to make UMNO members react and demand that the party pull the plug on the Unity Government.”
He added that the DAP’s strategy is designed to have UMNO voluntarily exit the Madani Government, allowing DAP to avoid being seen as the antagonist.
“They are unconcerned because today’s government would not collapse even if UMNO withdrew from the cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH),” he said.
Dr. Mohd. Puad warned, “So do not expect Yeo Bee Yin and Tony Pua to apologise.
“The sooner UMNO leaves, the better, in their eyes. Amanah is far too weak to defend the Malay Rulers, so UMNO must not be trapped by their tactics.”
The remarks come amid signals from some UMNO leaders that the party may reconsider its cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN), particularly following controversies related to an addendum involving former UMNO President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The discontent peaked when DAP figures reportedly “celebrated” a High Court decision rejecting Najib’s plea to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
UMNO Secretary-General Datuk Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki also suggested that the alliance with PH warrants a reassessment.
Meanwhile, PAS has responded positively to proposals to dissolve Perikatan Nasional (PN) and revive Muafakat Nasional (MN), provided UMNO-BN formally exits the coalition with PH.
PAS Information Chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, stated, “I fully support the proposal to revive Muafakat Nasional.
“This is the key to strength and the resurgence of Muslim unity. Congratulations to UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr. Muhamad Akmal Saleh. Relaunch the negotiations and establish a Joint Committee. Once UMNO-BN declares their exit from the coalition with PH, we can immediately relaunch Muafakat Nasional.”
Akmal suggested the dissolution of PN and the reestablishment of MN in light of the current political developments in Perlis, which he described as indicative of backstabbing within the state government.
Political instability in Perlis has intensified as eight state assemblymen reportedly withdrew support from Chief Minister Mohd Shukri Ramli, submitting statutory declarations to the Perlis Royal Household last Friday.
PAS subsequently terminated the membership of three of its assemblymen — Saad Seman (Chuping), Fakhrul Anwar Ismail (Bintong), and Mohd Ridzuan Hashim (Guar Sanji) — after they signed the declarations.
PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang confirmed that the decision was taken during a Special Meeting of the PAS Central Working Committee at the President’s Office in Rusila, Terengganu, citing Clauses 76 and 15A(1)(b) of the PAS Constitution (2025 Amendment).
The party will officially notify the Perlis State Assembly Speaker in accordance with Article 50A(1)(a)(ii) of the Perlis State Constitution (Amendment 2022).
Speaker of the Perlis State Assembly, Rus’sele Eizan, stated that the three vacated seats must be filled to ensure the stability of the state government and the provision of effective services to the public.
He confirmed that the Election Commission (EC) will be notified to conduct by-elections within 21 days.
“We are simply fulfilling our responsibility regarding the seats. Whether a by-election is held is up to the EC, not the state government,” he said.
In addition, the three former PAS assemblymen are required to return all state-owned assets previously allocated to them in their capacities as assemblymen or state executive councillors.
This includes government vehicles and other property still in their possession or use, as part of the broader internal PAS conflict that contributed to the withdrawal of support for Chief Minister Mohd Shukri Ramli.
The political developments underscore mounting tensions between UMNO, DAP, PAS, and the broader coalition dynamics in Malaysia, with potential ramifications for both state and national governance.
In a related matter, the three Perikatan Nasional (PN) state assemblymen from PAS in Perlis whose party memberships were terminated with immediate effect yesterday have been instructed to return all state-owned assets used during their tenure as state legislators or members of the State Executive Council.
The assets include state government vehicles and other property still in the possession or use of Chuping assemblyman Saad Seman, Bintong assemblyman Fakhrul Anwar Ismail and Guar Sanji assemblyman Mohd Ridzuan Hashim.
The three lawmakers are at the centre of an internal PAS crisis that led to the withdrawal of support for Perlis Chief Minister Mohd Shukri Ramli.
Rus’sele earlier said the assembly would formally notify the affected assemblymen, including one who had been serving as a member of the Perlis State Executive Council, of the requirement to return the assets. - December 25, 2025
