This past weekend, Bersatu held its annual assembly, and while they closed the meeting with a unanimous resolution endorsing party president and former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin as their candidate for prime minister, it was not without internal party calls for him to “turun” (step down), poison pen letters, and open disruptions in the assembly.
The Islamic party PAS will hold their annual meeting next week, with the expected usual pattern of rallying its members. PAS will also hold a party election where the contests to watch are those fighting for the vice-presidency and the central and youth working committees.
The question is whether PAS members will opt to stick with the same leaders or bring in new blood and ideas, especially more leaders with technocratic expertise.
A leadership deficit
Irrespective of what they decide, one of the most serious problems facing the opposition is leadership.
Arguably, this is a national challenge across parties, especially as there continues to be...