PETALING JAYA: A photo of PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar with Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, posted on social media by Bachok MP Mohd Syahir Sulaiman, has sparked fresh speculation that the Terengganu Menteri Besar may be in line to be appointed as Perikatan Nasional chairman.
The image was shared shortly after Muhyiddin returned from the United Kingdom, where he was welcomed by party leaders and supporters at the airport. Mohd Syahir accompanied the photo with a brief caption “Alhamdulillah. Insya-Allah”, which was widely interpreted as signalling political reassurance amid uncertainty within the coalition.
The posting came at a time when Perikatan is facing a leadership crisis following Muhyiddin’s decision to step down as chairman, triggered by recent political tensions within the coalition, particularly in Perlis.
Mohd Syahir said the meeting between Muhyiddin and Ahmad Samsuri, who is also known as Dr Sam, was a casual engagement held after Muhyiddin’s return from overseas.
“We will be holding a full Perikatan meeting in the near future. Today’s meeting was casual, as Tan Sri Muhyiddin has just returned from the UK,” he said.
Mohd Syahir, who is also the Political Secretary to the PAS President, added that Ahmad Samsuri met Muhyiddin on the mandate of PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
“Dr Sam met Muhyiddin at the instruction of Tok Guru President. As for the rest, one has to read what lies behind the words ‘Alhamdulillah’ and ‘Insya-Allah’,” he said.
However, he declined to confirm or deny whether the meeting was linked to speculation surrounding Ahmad Samsuri’s possible appointment as the new Perikatan chairman. He said that a meeting of the Perikatan Supreme Council would be convened in the near future, although details have yet to be finalised.
In December 2024, Ahmad Samsuri quit his position as Perikatan treasurer. He said the reason for his resignation was a strategic decision to strengthen the coalition ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16). He dismissed talk of internal conflicts, stressing that his decision was aimed at enhancing PN’s unity and political strength.
Perikatan has been embroiled in internal uncertainty following the administrative crisis in Perlis, which saw a change of Mentri Besar from a PAS leader to a Bersatu representative, intensifying questions over leadership alignment and direction within the coalition.
On Dec 28, a Kuala Perlis assemblyman from Bersatu was sworn in as the 12th Perlis Mentri Besar before the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail. He took over from embattled PAS’ Sanglang assemblyman Mohd Shukri Ramli, who resigned earlier after citing health reasons.
