The Tasek Gelugor MP, recently sacked from the party, said “PN would split and Bersatu will lose” if it insists on Muhyiddin as prime minister candidate.

“This isn’t a personal feud – it’s a professional disagreement. The clash doesn’t mean we lose respect for anyone…we maintain our respect, but we must accept reality,” he said in an interview with Malaysiakini.

“If we want to win, and if PN wants to be strong, Muhyiddin cannot be there,” he was quoted as saying in a KiniTV podcast.

Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, recently suspended for one term by Bersatu, said the party’s “careless motion” to name Muhyiddin as prime minister candidate had led to friction with coalition partner PAS.

He said he and Wan Saiful had tried hard to block the motion at the party convention because they knew it would create friction in the coalition.

“If Muhyiddin, (Bersatu secretary-general) Azmin Ali, or (party vice-president) Ahmad Faizal Azumu still don’t understand the implications, then it means they’ve failed to lead PN,” he said.

“What’s happening now is that a relationship that used to be strong is no longer in good shape,” he said.

Wan Saiful said the current dynamics show that PAS now sets the tone for the coalition’s direction, and Wan Fayhsal said Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin is better placed to lead PN as he has the backing of PAS.

Wan Fayhsal said it was likely that PAS chose Hamzah, who was Bersatu’s secretary-general at the time, as opposition leader following GE15 for his extensive Cabinet experience and proven rapport with fellow MPs.

“If Hamzah becomes (Bersatu) president, and perhaps PN chairman, I’m confident things can be fixed properly.

“PAS chose Hamzah as opposition leader right after the general election. I don’t see Bersatu or PN falling behind if he’s the one leading the party,” he said.