PN will decide its PM candidate through consensus – Bersatu
While PAS leaders continue to discuss the possibility of their party producing the next prime minister candidate, Bersatu has indicated that it will adopt a more diplomatic approach.
Without reacting strongly to the ongoing discussions, Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said it is not yet the right time for Perikatan Nasional (PN) to decide on their prime ministerial candidate.
Moreover, he clarified that...
Summary
Bersatu info chief believes PN top leadership will decide coalition’s PM candidate through consensus when the time comes.
This is amid PAS’ push for its leader to be PN’s pick for PM.
Tun Faisal adds PN components’ focus for now should be on strengthening coalition.
While PAS leaders continue to discuss the possibility of their party producing the next prime minister candidate, Bersatu has indicated that it will adopt a more diplomatic approach.
Without reacting strongly to the ongoing discussions, Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said it is not yet the right time for Perikatan Nasional (PN) to decide on their prime ministerial candidate.
Moreover, he clarified that any such decision will not be made publicly.
“When the time comes, it will be decided through consensus by the top leadership of each party within PN,” Tun Faisal (above) told Malaysiakini today.
PAS wants the spot
Yesterday, PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin reportedly said that PAS should lead the opposition coalition, citing its stronger political position compared to Bersatu.
He also said no discussions had been held between PAS and Bersatu regarding PN’s prime ministerial candidate.
Yet a recent announcement was made by a Bersatu leader naming Muhyiddin Yassin as PN’s prime ministerial candidate, which was done without consulting PAS, he added.
According to Hashim, PAS grassroots have high hopes that the Islamist party will lead the nation, given the broader support it receives compared to Bersatu.
However, Hashim also emphasised that PAS cannot make such a decision unilaterally as it must be thoroughly discussed among PN components.
In response to the PAS spiritual leader, Bersatu supreme council member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal named four Bersatu and PAS leaders as PM candidates who he believes can maintain a good relationship with the royals should the coalition form the government.
Tun Faisal, on the other hand, stressed that the focus now is to ensure PN’s strength and credibility.
“The priority at the moment is to strengthen PN and build public confidence in the coalition to replace this failing prime minister and government as soon as possible, and to prepare thoroughly for the 16th general election,” he explained.
