Faizal slams ‘betrayal’ as PN faces fresh turmoil

Bersatu vice-president Ahmad Faizal Azumu has expressed dismay over the ongoing turmoil in Perikatan Nasional (PN). Addressing unnamed leaders in a Facebook post, Faizal described his feelings as disappointment, anger, shame, and betrayal. He claimed that the crisis could lead to serious consequences. Faizal reminisced about the past when the leader was at the helm, highlighting how he was respected, shared the benefits, and experienced power.

However, Faizal criticized those who blamed others for problems while avoiding accountability for their own mistakes. He urged others to be self-aware and not point fingers without acknowledging their own errors. Faizal's comments came amid tensions within PN, following Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation as the coalition's chairman earlier this year.

The fallout began when PAS took over the PN chairmanship through Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar in February. FAizal's remarks are a response to the break in relations between Bersatu and PAS, which followed tensions over seat negotiations, electoral pacts, and accusations of Bersatu being sidelined. Bersatu was subsequently removed from key PN Supreme Council meetings, leading to an official complaint with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) over a violation of coalition rules.

The RoS subsequently suspended PN and issued a notice to cancel its registration, providing a 30-day window for PN to respond. PN Secretary-General Takiyuddin Hassan acknowledged the possibility of political pressure behind the RoS's decision but refused to comment further.