Samsuri: PN does not exclusively belong to one party

Perikatan Nasional chairperson Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has stressed that the coalition does not belong exclusively to any one party and must be governed according to its constitution and established procedures.

In a statement today, the PAS vice-president said PN was a constitutional political coalition founded by consensus among its founding parties.

“I wish to emphasise that PN is not the absolute property of any one party. It’s a constitutional political coalition established based on consensus among its founding parties,” said Samsuri, who is also the Terengganu menteri besar.

His statement comes three days after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang formally announced the party’s split from Bersatu, ending a six-year partnership.

Hadi also said PAS would explore a form of political understanding and electoral pact in the spirit of ummah unity ahead of the upcoming state elections and the 16th general election.

PAS, however, did not announce the dissolution of PN, which also comprises Gerakan and MIPP.

The decision came at the height of a strained relationship between the PN members, which saw top Bersatu and PAS leaders openly criticising each other.

Samsuri’s priority

Commenting further, Samsuri noted that PAS was among PN’s founding parties and that he was one of the coalition’s official signatories when it was established.

As such, Samsuri said any interpretation regarding PN’s status, position, or future direction could not be made unilaterally.

“Such matters must be referred to PN’s constitution and decided through the coalition’s official channels,” he said today.

Samsuri further said his priority was to ensure PN continued to be managed in an orderly, principled, and responsible manner.

“The priority is to ensure PN continues to be managed in an orderly, principled, and responsible manner for the benefit of the people and the nation,” he added.

Previously, Muhyiddin expressed regret over PAS’ “unilateral” decision to divorce Bersatu, but insisted that his party will also remain in PN.

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