KOTA BARU: PAS will hold the Opposition Leader post, says Perikatan Nasional (PN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
According to Takiyuddin, a decision on the matter is expected to be finalised by the end of this month or, at the latest, before the Parliament sitting in June.
He added that the coalition would maintain a ‘musyawarah’ (consultative) approach in deciding the candidate.
“PAS will hold the Opposition Leader post, that is already certain.
“We will resolve (the decision) before the end of this month if possible, and certainly before the Parliament sitting in June,” he told reporters when met at the Kelantan PAS Aidilfitri Open House at Dataran Warisan here on Saturday (March 28).
Takiyuddin explained that the selection process was being carried out in line with the principles of democracy and consensus within the coalition, taking into account the views of members of Parliament (MPs).
“When a decision is made, the views of the MPs are also taken into consideration. It is not that they make the appointment, but their views are important in reaching a decision.
“As before, the appointment of Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin was made by PN with the agreement of the MPs. So that is the practice we will continue,” he said.
He added that discussions are being held jointly between the two parties in PN that have representatives in Parliament, namely PAS and Bersatu.
Earlier, Sinar Harian reported that PN had decided the Opposition Leader’s post will be held by a PAS MP to replace Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who currently holds the position.
PN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the decision was reached at the PN Supreme Council Meeting, which he chaired on Saturday.
He said, however, that the name of the MP who will be appointed as the new Opposition Leader would only be announced at the end of March.
