The former PN chairman said the vacancy announced over the past weekend should have been filled immediately, especially since the coalition’s Supreme Council had already agreed that PAS should take over the post.

“We have already made a decision at the PN Supreme Council level and now the position has been vacated. Once vacant, the post should be filled immediately,” Utusan Malaysia quoted Muhyiddin as saying.

“If left vacant for too long, it gives rise to all kinds of assumptions and speculation that do not reflect well on PN at the national level.

“I am waiting for the PAS leadership’s decision on the candidate and hope it can be done as soon as possible,” said the former prime minister.

On Sunday, PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar confirmed Hamzah’s resignation as opposition leader, which came about two months after his sacking from Bersatu.

Hamzah was Bersatu deputy president when he was expelled at the height of a leadership tussle with Muhyiddin.

Samsuri had said PN would formally notify Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul about the vacancy, with coalition secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan to prepare the letter for submission on Monday.

However, earlier today, Johari said he has yet to receive any notification letter about Hamzah stepping down as opposition leader.

Separately, Muhyiddin said it was crucial to bolster cooperation between Bersatu and PAS to face the current political landscape, pointing to PN’s success in Terengganu as “the best example” of a good alliance.

PN made a clean sweep of parliamentary and state seats in Terengganu in the 2022 general election and 2023 state elections.

“The partnership between Bersatu, PAS and other allies in PN has led to much success, particularly in gaining convincing support from Malay-Muslim voters.”