KUALA LUMPUR: Pas vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar’s elevation as Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman is a step in the right direction if the coalition is to reinvent itself.
A former political secretary to Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, Ahmad Samsuri, fondly known as Dr Sam, is seen as someone who can soften the party’s religious rhetoric and help PN be more acceptable to all Malaysians.
His appointment comes amid uncertainty within Bersatu, raising questions about PN’s cohesion ahead of the next general election.
“Ahmad Samsuri is someone who is highly educated and deemed acceptable to all Malaysians,” said political analyst Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk.
“It is no surprise he has been promoted as his name has been circulating for quite some time. Some have touted him as a future prime minister. This will be a test of his credentials.”
Within Pas, Ahmad Samsuri is viewed as somewhat atypical, as he is an academic, not a religious scholar, yet is seen as the party’s future.
“By choosing him to be PN chairman, Pas could be indicating its willingness to be a more inclusive party,” said Azeem, director of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Policy Research.
“In many ways, he is an exception to the rule in Pas, whose leaders often fashion themselves strongly along religious lines. This can be a hindrance.
“Ahmad Samsuri, however, is known as a measured leader who does not speak excessively. Most importantly, he is trusted by Hadi, having served as his political secretary when the former was Terengganu MB from 1999 to 2004.”
Born on Nov 16, 1970, in Jerteh, Besut, Terengganu, Ahmad Samsuri holds a PhD in Aeroengine Ignition and Combustion (High Altitude Engine Failure) from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom, a Master of Science in Combustion and Energy from the same university, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical and Materials Engineering from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
He served as Professor in Practice at Universiti Selangor and was previously an associate professor and head of the Aerospace Engineering Department at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
His experience also includes representing Malaysia at NASA’s International Conference in Washington in 2006.
Looking ahead, Azeem said PN’s ability to broaden its appeal would depend on Pas’ alliances with the other parties in the coalition.
“How PN is viewed (by those outside its base) will depend on Pas’ interactions with Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party,” he said.
“That relationship will determine Pas’ and PN’s attractiveness to non-Malay voters. Pas will also need to tone down its religious rhetoric and soften its image.
“They have taken the first step by promoting Ahmad Samsuri.”
Despite his promotion, Azeem said it was unlikely Ahmad Samsuri would assume the role of opposition leader in Parliament, given his responsibilities as a menteri besar.
“It is more important for him to concentrate on governing the state rather than leading the opposition. There are other credible PN leaders who could play that role,” said Azeem.
“There is no written rule that the party with the most seats must lead. It is still a process of negotiation among themselves.”
“Regardless of who becomes the opposition leader in Parliament, Ahmad Samsuri will still be influential.”
Azeem said this is similar to when Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was PN chairman, while his deputy, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, was the opposition leader.
Muhyiddin, however, is facing a struggle to keep his party together following the sacking of Hamzah Zainudin, Fathul Huzir Ayob, Azahari Hasan, and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
Besides the four Members of Parliament, the party also sacked 13 other members for gross insubordination and actions deemed detrimental to the party’s stability and unity.
The question now is: can Ahmad Samsuri also be the person who helps mend the Bersatu-Pas relationship following the recent ‘political coup’ in Perlis and show that PN is a credible government-in-waiting?