Former Malaysian PM Muhyiddin to resign as chair of opposition bloc

[KUALA LUMPUR] Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Tuesday (Dec 30) that he will resign as chairman of the opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional, effective Jan 1.

Muhyiddin has served as the coalition’s leader since its inception after a political crisis in 2020 that saw him appointed as the country’s eighth prime minister.

He served just 17 months as premier, resigning the following year amid criticism over his handling of the Covid-19 crisis.

“I would like to thank all the PN leaders who have given me full support during my time leading PN since its establishment five years ago. I wish all the best to the PN leadership and its member parties,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

His resignation as opposition chair comes amid tensions this month within the Malay Muslim-dominated PN coalition, with popular Islamist party PAS accusing Muhyiddin’s Bersatu party of initiating a leadership coup in Perlis state, which is governed by the bloc.

It is unclear who will take over leadership of the PN bloc, as Muhyiddin was one of its few leaders with broad appeal.

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Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-faith country, with ethnic-Malay Muslims accounting for over 60 per cent of the population while ethnic Indians and Chinese form sizeable minorities.

PN made inroads among Malaysia’s majority ethnic-Malay Muslims in 2022’s general election, and its popularity among more traditional Malays and young voters is seen as a threat to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s progressive, multi-ethnic alliance. REUTERS