Bersatu Supreme Council member Dr Yadzil Yaakub dismissed the notion that the party’s general assembly had been hasty in naming party president Muhyiddin Yassin as its candidate.

He also said the final decision was in the hands of the PN Supreme Council.

“PAS can also announce a prime ministerial candidate at its muktamar (being held from Sept 11 to Sept 16). But PN’s candidate will be decided with the consensus of all components,” he told FMT.

While the issue of PN’s poster boy for GE16 has been a bone of contention among its components, Bersatu’s annual general assembly unanimously resolved to nominate Muhyiddin as its prime ministerial candidate yesterday.

Sanusi, the PN election director, said Bersatu should not be overly enthusiastic as it could not make such decisions without the consensus of its PN partners.

Last November, PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin denied that Muhyiddin was confirmed as PN’s official prime ministerial candidate, saying that PAS could lead the coalition.

Bersatu Supreme Council member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said his party respected Sanusi’s views but reiterated that each PN component had the right to nominate its candidate.

He said it was more important to ensure that PN’s election machinery was ready for GE16. “At the end of the day, the decision will be made by the PN Supreme Council.”

Separately, Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said Muhyiddin was nominated as the party’s candidate according to the wishes of its members.

He cited Muhyiddin’s experience in steering the country during the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic downturn caused by the related lockdowns.

“The motion represented Bersatu members and should be respected as their right and their wish. It will be brought to the PN presidential council,” he said.