PN to form presidential council

Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders have agreed to form a presidential council, as the ruling coalition consolidates its position ahead of a much awaited general election.

A Supreme Council meeting chaired by Bersatu president and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin last night agreed that the council would comprise party chiefs from the PN coalition, with the aim of discussing government policies and strengthening cooperation between members.

“The meeting also decided that PN would carry out flagship programmes nationwide to help people from all walks of life,” said PN secretary-general Hamzah Zainuddin.

Among those who attended the meeting were PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan and SAPP president Yong Teck Lee.

The announcement comes days after the coalition survived a crucial vote on the budget, on the back of threats from the opposition to turn it into a confidence motion against Muhyiddin.

PN, comprising Bersatu, PAS and several Sabah and Sarawak parties, was formed in February this year, bringing together political parties which lent their support to Muhyiddin to form the government following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan administration.

Umno and Gabungan Parti Sarawak are not members of the coalition despite expressing their support for the PN government.