Kuala lumpur: The resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and several senior Bersatu leaders at both national and state levels from Perikatan Nasional (PN) signals that the coalition is on the brink of its most serious political crisis since its formation five years ago.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, tensions within the coalition, comprising Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan, and the Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP), have intensified with the mass resignations of Bersatu leaders today. These resignations are in protest over unresolved issues plaguing their political cooperation within PN. The crisis was exacerbated by turmoil in the Perlis state administration, which saw the Menteri Besar's post shift from PAS to Bersatu. This move, labelled a 'backstab' by various quarters, fueled dissatisfaction within PAS, prompting calls for Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, to step down and for PAS to take the helm of PN.
Universiti Malaya sociopolitical analyst Prof Datuk Awang Azman Awang Pawi stated that the drastic steps taken by Bersatu leaders clearly reflect fractures in trust and coordination between PN's two main pillars, PAS and Bersatu. He noted that differences in approaches to power-sharing, state leadership, and political survival strategies have exposed misaligned interests between the two parties, especially when crises demand swift decisions and consensus. Awang Azman further explained that such developments have eroded public confidence, particularly among fence-sitters and young voters who value stability and clarity of leadership, leaving PN at risk of being perceived as a coalition losing influence and trapped in internal conflict.
PN currently governs four states, namely Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis. Geostrategist Assoc Prof Dr Azmi Hassan highlighted that if Muhyiddin's resignation stemmed from pressure by PAS, the PN chairmanship would likely fall to a PAS leader, as the party holds the largest number of elected representatives within the coalition. However, Azmi pointed out that while PAS has prominent figures such as Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud, they have yet to demonstrate the capacity to manage complex national-level politics.
Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia's Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities director, Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali, noted that Muhyiddin's resignation was not unexpected given mounting pressure within Bersatu itself, including calls for Hamzah to replace him as party president. He emphasized the key question now is who is capable of leading PN, while also noting that tensions between PAS and Bersatu have been driven by disputes over major issues such as the prime ministerial candidate and political positioning in Sabah. Mazlan added that the situation has fueled speculation that PAS may eventually leave the coalition, raising the risk of PN's collapse.
Earlier today, Muhyiddin, who is also the Pagoh MP, announced his resignation effective January 1, 2026, after leading the coalition for five years since its official registration on August 7, 2020. Following this, a series of resignation announcements by other PN leaders, including Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali as PN secretary-general and Selangor PN chairman, further deepened the crisis.
In a related development, Tuan Ibrahim confirmed that PAS will submit several names for consideration as the new PN chairman, with discussions expected at an upcoming PN Supreme Council meeting. PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan stated that the party has offered to lead PN to strengthen its organization and prepare for the upcoming state election and the 16th General Election.
Grassroots pressure has also surfaced, with Selangor PAS Youth urging the party to reassess its political cooperation with Bersatu. Its chief, Mohamed Sukri Omar, argued that PAS must undertake a bold and rational evaluation based on political realities and long-term interests. Meanwhile, Johor PKR Youth chief Faezuddin Puad described the resignations as clear evidence of the fragility of the coalition's political direction, emphasizing the need for principled, united, and stable leadership.