Armada sets condition for Perikatan Nasional chairmanship amid leadership uncertainty

THE BERSATU youth wing, ARMADA, has decided that the position of chairman of Perikatan Nasional must be held by a president of one of the coalition’s component parties, citing the need for authority and legitimacy in representing their respective parties within the alliance.

ARMADA assistant secretary Mohd Fahim Mohd Farid said the decision was reached during a meeting of the ARMADA Political Bureau earlier today. He said the move was aimed at ensuring the legitimacy and smooth administration of Perikatan Nasional as a political coalition.

“The ARMADA Political Bureau has also decided that the issue of the PN chairmanship, as a political coalition, must be resolved with full wisdom and prudence, collectively by the party leadership,” he said in a statement today.

The statement comes as Perikatan Nasional faces renewed uncertainty following calls by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang for an emergency meeting of the coalition’s Supreme Council. The proposed meeting, Abdul Hadi said, would among other matters formally receive and endorse the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as PN chairman, which took effect on Jan 1.

Abdul Hadi said the call was made to ensure the continuity of the coalition and to facilitate the appointment of a new chairman.

Earlier, he had confirmed that PAS would lead Perikatan Nasional, but hinted that he would not assume the chairmanship himself. Several names have since been mentioned as potential candidates, including PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is also the Terengganu Menteri Besar, and PAS central working committee member Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, the Kedah Menteri Besar.

Perikatan Nasional currently comprises four component parties, namely PAS, BERSATU, GERAKAN and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party.

Meanwhile, Mohd Fahim said the BERSATU youth wing also upheld the guidance of the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, calling on Perikatan Nasional to ensure the continuity of state governance that prioritises the interests of the people, development and the overall well-being of the state. - January 12, 2026