PN can't have supreme council and executive council - Muhyiddin

Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin has shot down claims that the coalition is setting up an executive council, which was rumoured would co-exist with its supreme council, to be led by his deputy Hamzah Zainudin.

In an interview last night, he confirmed there was such a suggestion but stressed that PN can not have two leadership bodies governing the coalition.

“The supreme council still exists. So there is no issue of having an executive council. There won’t be an executive council and a supreme council, cannot.

“Because, despite there being a suggestion, the status quo remains. So we will maintain the supreme council where all party presidents sit together,” Muhyiddin said in an interview with news portal Malaysia Gazette, which was aired live on YouTube.

The former prime minister and Bersatu president was responding to a question regarding rumours of an internal split in PN, where Hamzah is allegedly making a move to oust Muhyiddin.

The Pagoh MP, however, dismissed a claim that Hamzah was behind the executive council proposal.

“That is not true,” he said.

Presidential council

On the other hand, Muhyiddin said the coalition has agreed to a suggestion from PAS to form a presidential council, which is aimed at strengthening PN.

According to Muhyiddin, the presidential council would be considered the final reference point to resolve issues within the coalition.

These include disputes over seat allocations during elections.

“Let’s say that the supreme council cannot resolve an issue, especially when the time comes for seat negotiation.

“Because, as we all know, some parties would not want to give up some seats. Then we negotiate, let’s say there are three or four seats (that are unresolved), so we will hand this matter to the four party presidents to decide,” he said.

The Hamzah factor

In June, Malaysiakini reported that PAS had proposed to restructure PN to grant significant operational powers to Hamzah, who is the parliamentary opposition chief.

Under the proposed changes, an executive committee helmed by Hamzah would be formed to oversee PN’s operations, while the presidents of PAS, Bersatu, Gerakan, and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party would retain their roles in the existing supreme council.

According to sources, the move is designed to position Hamzah as PN’s prime ministerial candidate, ready to take the reins if the coalition captures Putrajaya in the next general election.

However, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan later dismissed reports that PN was being restructured to give Hamzah more power.

According to the Kota Bharu MP, as a registered coalition, PN is subject to its constitution.

He also claimed the matter was being hyped to disrupt PN’s stability.

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