KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 — The crisis currently battering Perikatan Nasional (PN) saw several top leaders from Bersatu collectively "press the button" to resign from their respective positions within the coalition today.
It began with the shock announcement by Bersatu President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who resigned as PN chairman effective January 1, 2026, followed shortly by four other top Bersatu leaders.
Bukit Kepong state assemblyman Sahruddin Jamal announced his resignation as Johor PN chairman, followed by Bersatu Secretary-General Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who stepped down as PN Secretary-General and Selangor PN Liaison chairman.
Following suit, Bersatu Vice President Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu announced his resignation as Perak PN chairman, while Negeri Sembilan Bersatu chairman Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker withdrew as Negeri Sembilan PN chairman.
Additionally, Taman Medan state assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin announced his resignation as Selangor PN Secretary effective the same date, following in the footsteps of his chief Azmin.
Appearing as a "protest" against the coalition’s partnership with PAS, which has reached a point where it can no longer be hidden, likened to "a crack waiting to split," protracted internal turmoil is believed to be the cause. This includes political tensions in several states, such as the recent crisis in Perlis.
PAS Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man confirmed that the party will submit several names to be considered for the new PN chairman position, which is expected to be discussed in a PN Supreme Council meeting in the near future.
The mass resignations by Bersatu leaders raise questions about whether this will indirectly signal the end of the coalition.
Asia Global Consulting political analyst and senior consultant Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri said the situation currently facing Bersatu, PAS, and PN is not merely an ordinary conflict, but rather reflects a power struggle and a crisis of confidence that could shift the country's political landscape.
“This indicates that an existing split is occurring; in English, we would call it the ‘elephant in the room’,” he said as a guest on Bernama Radio’s 'Reaksi: Krisis PN programme' today.
Zaharuddin added that the struggle for influence and differing opinions between Bersatu and PAS have put both parties at a crossroads: whether to continue the partnership or go their separate ways.
He added that the question of whether Bersatu and PAS can still find a point of compromise will be the primary determinant of PN's survival as a political coalition, or whether it will instead pave the way for a new opposition alignment.
“If they can no longer find common ground or a point of agreement, perhaps Bersatu and PAS must seek their own directions, and this would be something new for our country; what people call a new political alignment.
“Will we see an unification of other political parties as the opposition, or perhaps we will see an addition of parties to the current government?” Zaharuddin said.
