Don’t question proposal for ‘new PN’, Bersatu leader tells PAS

A Bersatu leader has told PAS not to question any proposals for a “new Perikatan Nasional (PN)” following the Registrar of Societies’ (RoS) move to deregister the opposition coalition.

Bersatu associate wing chief R Sri Sanjeevan said PAS should reflect on its own record and explain why PN was deregistered while under the party’s administration. PN is chaired by PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.

“The new PN has not even been born, yet people are already worried about who its father will be,” Sanjeevan told FMT.

“Who was PN’s guardian when it was deregistered? Explain your own death certificate before commenting on someone else’s birth certificate.”

Sanjeevan was commenting on a statement by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, who said on Tuesday that certain parties might be working to form a new PN.

Speaking at an event in Kota Bharu, Takiyuddin, who is also PN secretary-general, said those parties would “obviously have good relations” with the RoS as the department would decide whether to approve the application.

Yesterday, Bersatu co-founder Redzuan Yusof said the loose Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat alliance could be turned into a new PN.

Redzuan said PN remained a strong brand, and did not rule out Bersatu taking the initiative to revive it with a different vision and direction, Utusan Malaysia reported.

Meanwhile, Bersatu Youth information chief Harris Idaham Rashid told FMT Bersatu had no problem with reviving PN, but the new coalition should be led by a progressive figure who respected its component parties.

He said the new PN’s leadership should not be extremist or turn the coalition into a tool for pursuing certain agendas.

“If the brand is to be revived, it must be led by progressive, non-extremist leaders who respect the component parties and do not turn it into a tool for pursuing malicious agendas,” he said.

Harris said there would be no obstacle to any party reusing the PN name once the appeal period ends and the cancellation of the coalition’s registration has been finalised.

He said PN was previously known as a progressive and inclusive coalition that prioritised efficient and clean governance.

“PAS leaders have damaged PN’s image through inefficient administration and significant constitutional violations,” he claimed.

The RoS deregistered PN on Tuesday after finding that the coalition’s explanation failed to rebut the grounds stated in an earlier notice.

The registrar acted on a complaint by Bersatu, which alleged it was denied the right to attend, speak and vote at a PN Supreme Council meeting on July 16.

Takiyuddin was reported as saying the coalition would challenge the deregistration and seek a stay of its implementation.

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