Bersatu Supreme Council member Rafiq Abdullah said Hashim is free to express his views.

Rafiq said that ultimately, PN’s top leadership would determine whether Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin remains as the coalition leader or if the position is handed to a PAS leader.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but ultimately, the PN Supreme Council will decide,” he told FMT.

“That decision (on who is fit to lead PN) lies with the council, which includes the PAS president (Abdul Hadi Awang), Bersatu president, and Gerakan president (Dominic Lau), along with the deputies and the secretary-general.”

Hashim had asserted earlier that PAS is better qualified to lead PN, challenging the notion that Muhyiddin should remain as the coalition’s prime ministerial candidate.

He cited the party’s larger parliamentary representation and stronger grassroots network nationwide as key reasons for its leadership aspirations.

His remarks followed recent comments by Bersatu vice-president Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who insisted that Muhyiddin was the sole candidate for the prime minister’s post in the opposition.

Bersatu Supreme Council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan meanwhile told FMT it was unlikely that a PAS leader would spearhead PN’s charge at the next general election despite PAS’s dominance in the opposition coalition.

Rafiq also claimed that PAS had previously been offered the opportunity to lead PN, but Hadi had turned down the offer.

“We have no issue with whoever leads PN. What matters most is the strength and unity of PN’s component parties as we face the next general election,” he said.

Earlier today, Lau reaffirmed Gerakan’s support for Muhyiddin to remain the coalition’s candidate for the prime minister’s post.

He cited Muhyiddin’s experience, commitment to collaboration, and support across the PN ranks as key reasons for his candidacy.