Muhyiddin urges swift appointment of opposition leader, slams emergency poll delay proposal

PARTI Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has intensified pressure for the swift appointment of a new Opposition Leader, while at the same time denouncing suggestions to postpone upcoming state elections through an emergency declaration which he sees as sign of political weakness.

Muhyiddin said the coalition had already reached consensus at its Supreme Council meeting on proposing a candidate for the post of Opposition Leader, and urged that the process now be expedited.

“Therefore, as I mentioned before, we ask that this be expedited. We are waiting for PAS to make its selection, and once the name is decided, we will accept it and submit it to the Speaker, and the position (of Opposition Leader) will be filled by PN,” he told reporters after attending an Aidilfitri gathering in Gombak today.

Muhyiddin stressed that Bersatu would not contest the choice, reiterating that the coalition had agreed the nominee would come from PAS.

“We, as members of PN, all agree that the candidate will come from PAS. If PAS nominates A, we will agree to A, and if B, then B it is.

“Bersatu does not favour any particular candidate. We leave it entirely to PAS and that has already been decided by the PN Supreme Council. Whoever is nominated, we will simply accept,” he said.

His remarks come amid frustration within Bersatu over delays in filling the post, despite an earlier submission of a proposed candidate.

PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has maintained that the decision requires careful consideration and should not be rushed, noting that the appointment involves not only his party but all opposition bloc members of Parliament.

In a separate development, Muhyiddin criticised proposals to delay the Melaka and Johor state elections through the declaration of an emergency, describing the move as an indication of fear among the ruling parties.

He argued that there was no justification for invoking emergency powers in the absence of any major national security crisis, and characterised such calls as a misuse of constitutional provisions for political purposes.

Muhyiddin suggested that reasons cited, including economic concerns or water supply issues, were merely pretexts to avoid electoral defeat.

He also highlighted what he described as inconsistency, pointing out that those now advocating emergency measures were among the same groups that had previously criticised similar actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. - April 19, 2026