Melaka first, Bersatu later: Perikatan chairman holds off on disciplinary action

Melaka remains the first priority for Perikatan Nasional (PN) as the coalition postpones disciplinary action against Bersatu until after the state election. PN's chairman, Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, stated that the coalition received complaints about Bersatu's conduct, resulting in the decision to discuss the issues at the supreme council meeting.

Samsuri clarified that the decisions would be based on the presented facts and not on sentiments. The exact nature of the complaints remains undisclosed. Previously, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had said that the coalition would take action against Bersatu for violating its constitution, including contesting PN in the Negeri Sembilan state election.

Hassan assured that charges would be drawn up and Bersatu would have ample time to defend itself. However, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dismissed the allegations as 'strange and absurd', arguing that his party did not break any rules. Muhyiddin also pointed out that Bersatu had reported alleged violations by the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) to the Registrar of Societies (RoS), which subsequently acted against PN.

The RoS suspended PN in late September and deregistered it on October 20, but the High Court stayed the deregistration two days later. PAS severed ties with Bersatu in June, and Muhyiddin later claimed that his party was sidelined by PN as the PAS-led coalition sought an alliance with Umno. The RoS revoked PN's registration under the Societies Act 1966 on October 20, but the High Court stayed the decision on October 22, allowing PN to contest Melaka.

The RoS and the home minister appealed the ruling the following day, with the Court of Appeal scheduled to hear the matter on February 22, 2027.