# Malaysian Political Topics Report **Date:** 5 January 2026 --- ## Executive Summary The Malaysian political landscape this week is dominated by a major **crisis within the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition** following Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation as PN chairman on December 30, 2025. The aftermath has triggered widespread speculation about: 1. **PAS rising to lead PN** - Abdul Hadi Awang positioned as the most likely successor 2. **PAS-Bersatu tensions** - Calls from PAS Youth wings to sever ties with Bersatu 3. **UMNO Youth's push to exit Madani** - Akmal Saleh urging UMNO to leave the unity government and partner with PAS 4. **Perlis political turmoil** - MB crisis and PAS refusing to join state exco 5. **Discussion of Muafakat Nasional revival** - Potential UMNO-PAS-Bersatu realignment --- ## Top Political Topics ### 1. Muhyiddin's Resignation & PN Leadership Transition Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down as PN chairman, triggering a leadership vacuum. PAS has declared readiness to lead PN, with Abdul Hadi Awang emerging as the frontrunner. The PN Supreme Council is expected to decide on the new chairman soon. **Key Headlines:** - [Hadi: Pas to pick PN chief candidate next week, not from Bersatu](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/1349025/hadi-pas-pick-pn-chief-candidate-next-week-not-bersatu) (2026-01-02) - [Muhyiddin Yassin Letak Jawatan Pengerusi Perikatan Nasional](https://beautifulnara.com/muhyiddin-yassin-letak-jawatan-pengerusi-perikatan-nasional/) (2025-12-30) - [Hadi: PAS ready to take over PN, leader to be discussed soon](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764735) (2026-01-02) - [Johor PN chief Sahruddin resigns](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/12/30/johor-pn-chief-sahruddin-resigns/) (2025-12-30) - [[TERKINI] Pengerusi PN Negeri Sembilan letak jawatan](https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2025/12/1305379/terkini-pengerusi-pn-negeri-sembilan-letak-jawatan) (2025-12-30) ### 2. PAS-Bersatu Tensions Growing rift between PAS and Bersatu, with PAS Youth wings in Selangor demanding a break from Bersatu. Some Bersatu leaders reportedly felt PAS should quit PN entirely. **Key Headlines:** - [Selangor PAS Youth urges severing ties with Bersatu](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764602) (2025-12-30) - [Pemuda PAS Selangor desak putus hubungan dengan Bersatu](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764597) (2025-12-30) - [Some Bersatu leaders felt that PAS should quit PN, says source](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/12/30/some-bersatu-leaders-felt-that-pas-should-quit-pn-says-source/) (2025-12-30) - [PAS will lead PN, coalition not dying - Bersatu leader](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764613) (2025-12-30) - [Sorotan perpecahan pakatan Melayu Umno, PAS dan Bersatu](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764857) (2026-01-05) ### 3. UMNO Youth Convention & Exit from Madani Government UMNO Youth chief Akmal Saleh is pushing for UMNO to leave the Madani government and explore partnership with PAS. A special UMNO Youth convention has received blessing from party president Zahid Hamidi. **Key Headlines:** - [Umno Youth to propose leaving Madani govt, partnering PAS](https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/03/umno-youth-to-propose-leaving-madani-govt-partnering-pas) (2026-01-03) - ['Jangan takut jadi pembangkang' - Akmal gesa Umno tinggalkan k'jaan perpaduan](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764810) (2026-01-03) - [Konvensyen Khas Pemuda Umno dapat restu Zahid, kata Akmal](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764815) (2026-01-03) - [Umno keluar, Bersatu sertai kerajaan Madani?](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/pandangan/2026/01/05/umno-keluar-bersatu-sertai-kerajaan-madani) (2026-01-05) - [Stop triggering us, Ahmad Maslan tells DAP](https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/03/stop-triggering-us-ahmad-maslan-tells-dap) (2026-01-03) ### 4. Perlis Political Crisis PAS declined to join the Perlis state exco in solidarity with ousted MB Mohd Shukri. The crisis has exposed internal tensions but PAS leaders deny Bersatu betrayal. **Key Headlines:** - [PAS will not join Perlis state exco in solidarity with former MB Mohd Shukri](https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/12/30/pas-will-not-join-perlis-state-exco-in-solidarity-with-former-mb-mohd-shukri-says-party-sec-gen/203705) (2025-12-30) - [Bersatu didn't betray us on MB issue, says Perlis Pas leader](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/1347803/bersatu-didnt-betray-us-mb-issue-says-perlis-pas-leader) (2025-12-31) - [Tolak jawatan Exco Perlis bukti kematangan politik Pas - Pas Pahang](https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/762322/berita/politik/tolak-jawatan-exco-perlis-bukti-kematangan-politik-pas---pas-pahang) (2025-12-31) - [Perlis MB says sacked PAS reps may be considered for exco if they regain seats](https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/12/30/perlis-mb-says-sacked-pas-reps-may-be-considered-for-exco-if-they-regain-seats/203771) (2025-12-30) ### 5. Muafakat Nasional & Malay Unity Discussions Renewed discussions about reviving Muafakat Nasional (UMNO-PAS cooperation) and broader Malay political unity involving UMNO, PAS, and Bersatu. **Key Headlines:** - [Muafakat sebenar perlu gabungkan UMNO, Bersatu, Pas - Wan Saiful](https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/762568/berita/politik/muafakat-sebenar-perlu-gabungkan-umno-bersatu-pas-ndash-wan-saiful) (2026-01-02) - [UMNO leadership yet to consider revival of Muafakat Nasional ties with PAS](https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/117710/umno-leadership-yet-to-consider-revival-of-muafakat-nasional-ties-with-pas) (2026-01-02) - [Muafakat Nasional not a political outfit, says Noh Omar](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/1348247/muafakat-nasional-not-political-outfit-says-noh-omar) (2025-12-31) - [Muafakat Madani lebih ikhlas, tiada sabotaj, kata Anwar](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764599) (2025-12-30) ### 6. Government Reforms & Legislation The Madani government announced plans to table bills on separating Attorney General and Public Prosecutor roles, and limiting PM terms. **Key Headlines:** - [RUU pemisahan pendakwa raya-AG, had penggal PM dibentang tahun ini](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764883) (2026-01-05) - [Anwar kekal PM walau BN keluar k'jaan, tapi apa nasib Umno?](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764617) (2025-12-31) --- ## Article Counts by Date | Date | Political Articles | |------|-------------------| | 2026-01-05 | 85 | | 2026-01-04 | 106 | | 2026-01-03 | 103 | | 2026-01-02 | 123 | | 2026-01-01 | 93 | | 2025-12-31 | 140 | | 2025-12-30 | 323 | | 2025-12-29 | 13 | **Total:** 986 political articles in the past 7 days *Peak coverage on December 30, 2025 coincides with Muhyiddin's resignation announcement.* --- ## Key Political Figures Mentioned | Figure | Role | Context | |--------|------|---------| | **Muhyiddin Yassin** | Former PN Chairman, Bersatu President | Resigned as PN chairman, triggering coalition crisis | | **Abdul Hadi Awang** | PAS President | Frontrunner to become new PN chairman | | **Akmal Saleh** | UMNO Youth Chief | Pushing for UMNO to exit Madani government | | **Zahid Hamidi** | UMNO President | Gave blessing to special UMNO Youth convention | | **Anwar Ibrahim** | Prime Minister | Referenced in discussions about government stability | | **Ahmad Maslan** | UMNO Secretary-General | Called for careful seat allocation for upcoming elections | | **Azmin Ali** | Bersatu leader | PAS leader suggested he should resign if Muhyiddin does | | **Sanusi Md Nor** | Kedah MB | Mentioned as potential PN chairman candidate | | **Wan Ji** | Former PKR member | Left PKR to "reduce enemies" | | **Shafie Apdal** | Warisan President | Undecided on contesting by-elections | --- *Report generated: 5 January 2026*