MIPP’s Deputy President Subramaniam appointed Treasuer of Perikatan Nasional
Kuala Lumpur: The federal opposition alliance, Perikatan Nasional (PN), has implemented a sweeping administrative restructuring to optimise its machinery for the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.
PN Chairman and Terengganu Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, officially announced the comprehensive changes.
MIPP has been given a strategic role to woo Indian voters
In a structural development, the newly minted Parti Wawasan Negara, led by Opposition Leader Hamzah Zainudin, was recently formally integrated as a constituent member of the PN alliance.
Concurrently, in a move to specifically court the ethnic Indian electorate, S. Subramaniam (pic), the Deputy President of the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP), has been appointed as the new PN National Treasurer.
Analysts note that appointing an ethnic Indian leader as the financial custodian of a major Malay-centric opposition alliance marks a significant turning point, demonstrating PN’s intent to expand its appeal beyond its traditional voting base aggressively.
Another major shake-up involves the appointment of Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as the new Election Director for PN. Muhammad Sanusi formally resigned from his position as PN treasurer to take over the powerful role of PN Election Director, replacing Bersatu’s Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin. Sanusi’s proven grassroots mobilisation and popularity are expected to inject significant energy into the opposition’s field campaign.
Bersatu sidelined amid fractured PAS relations.
The structural adjustments indicate a distinct marginalisation of Bersatu within the opposition framework, amid fractured ties between the party and PAS. PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang recently triggered controversy by dryly stating that Bersatu is entirely free to operate as it sees fit, leaving it up to them to decide whether they wish to remain part of the PN alliance.
In a further blow to Bersatu’s standing, former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali was officially axed from his post as PN Deputy Secretary-General. The coalition has chosen to leave the portfolio vacant for the time being.
PN Chairman Ahmad Samsuri also stated that an emergency PN Supreme Council summit will be convened shortly to solidify the coalition’s localised campaign platforms and finalise candidate allocations as the alliance gears up for an intense battle in the looming state legislative polls.
