THE Supreme Council of Perikatan Nasional will convene an extraordinary meeting at 3pm today at the headquarters of the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), with the Opposition coalition expected to appoint a new chairman nearly two months after the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The post is widely expected to pass from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) to PAS, which is understood to have secured the backing of fellow coalition members Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party.
Bersatu has led Perikatan Nasional since its formation in February 2020, following the collapse of the first Pakatan Harapan administration that paved the way for Muhyiddin to become Malaysia’s eighth prime minister.
However, PAS now commands 43 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, making it the single largest party in Parliament and the linchpin of the coalition.
The Islamist party also heads the state governments of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
By contrast, Bersatu’s parliamentary strength has fallen from 25 to 21 seats after a fresh round of expulsions. The party continues to lead the Perlis state government, which it assumed in December 2025.
The leadership crisis was triggered by events in Perlis late last year, when five Bersatu assemblymen and three from PAS withdrew support for the PAS-led state administration.
PAS swiftly dismissed its three representatives, while Bersatu declined to take similar action, denying allegations that it had orchestrated the move. A new state government was subsequently formed under Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah of Bersatu.
Amid escalating tensions between the two parties, Muhyiddin stepped down as PN chairman on 1 January, followed shortly by coalition secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Muhyiddin also proposed abolishing the chairman’s post as part of a structural overhaul, a suggestion firmly rejected by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
The turbulence has been compounded by internal strife within Bersatu.
Last Friday, the party dismissed its deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin along with 16 leaders aligned to him.
Defending the move, Muhyiddin said the expulsions were necessary to “save the party” and that he had endured years of “internal sabotage”.
Hamzah responded by launching a “Reset” movement, declaring open opposition to Muhyiddin’s leadership.
The Opposition Leader claims to command the support of 19 Bersatu Members of Parliament, including vice-president Ronald Kiandee and women’s chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, as well as a majority of PN lawmakers.
Several Bersatu divisions have since dissolved, with numerous division chiefs resigning, citing a loss of confidence in Muhyiddin.
Notably, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has expressed “sympathy” for Hamzah, while PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan has said the party would consider accepting him should he submit a formal application.
Although Hamzah has not ruled out joining PAS, he is also weighing other options, including forming a new party or returning to a previous political platform.
He previously served as a senior Umno figure and held ministerial office under former prime ministers Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Razak before joining Bersatu in 2019.
Today’s meeting is expected to formally accept Muhyiddin’s resignation and appoint his successor from PAS.
Abdul Hadi, 78, has declined to take up the chairmanship and will not be nominated. Among the names circulating is Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, whose recent closed-door meeting with Muhyiddin — reportedly held with Hadi’s blessing — has intensified speculation.
Hamzah’s position as Opposition Leader may also come under discussion, particularly as Parliament is scheduled to reconvene on 23 February after the Chinese New Year recess.
In a statement ahead of the meeting, Muhyiddin confirmed he would attend, stating: “Accordingly, I will attend the Perikatan Nasional Supreme Council meeting on 22 February, which will decide on the appointment of the PN Chairman as well as other matters related to the strengthening and consolidation of Perikatan Nasional.”
Muhyiddin added that Bersatu was undertaking a comprehensive restructuring of divisions and party wings affected by resignations.
"Bersatu Secretary General, Azmin Ali will act as the secretariat of this Special Task Force. State Leadership Council chiefs have been instructed to identify the divisions involved.
"Restructuring of these divisions will involve the appointment of acting division chiefs or the formation of new division committees in accordance with the party constitution.
"Party wings affected by the resignations will also be reorganised through interim appointments or the establishment of new committees."
He said a special task force, co-chaired by party vice-presidents Radzi Jidin and Ahmad Faizal Azumu, had been formed to oversee the process.
"Bersatu has a line of successors and active members in every division who are ready to shoulder the responsibility of strengthening the party.
"I am confident many loyal Bersatu members will step forward to carry this trust," Muhyiddin said. - February 22, 2026
