Saifuddin, who was dropped as Pahang PN chairman yesterday amid his criticism of PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, today congratulated Tuan Ibrahim, who is PAS deputy president, for succeeding him in the position.

“I have personally contacted him to convey my congratulations and express my full support for his leadership,” said Saifuddin in a statement.

“I am confident that Tuan Ibrahim’s appointment as Pahang PN chairman – along with the earlier appointment of Abdul Khalib Abdullah as Pahang Bersatu chief – is part of an effort to introduce fresh leadership to strengthen Pahang PN.”

In a Berita Harian report yesterday, Saifuddin said Muhyiddin should step down as Bersatu president after claiming that the former prime minister had failed to convene party meetings and had “lost his leadership qualities”.

The former foreign minister also urged senior party leaders Azmin Ali and Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz to resign.

Last Friday, Saifuddin also called on Muhyiddin to clear the air over whether his son-in-law, fugitive businessman Adlan Berhan, had indeed fled the country.

In a statement last night, Azmin, who is PN secretary-general, said Tuan Ibrahim would replace Saifuddin as the Pahang PN chief.

Azmin also announced that Mas Ermieyati Samsudin had been appointed as the new PN chief for Melaka, replacing Dr Yadzil Yaakub, while Shahidan Kassim would take over the Perlis PN chief’s post from menteri besar Shukri Ramli.