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KUALA LUMPUR – Could PAS be hedging its bets in the looming general election by signalling a Muafakat Nasional (MN) “reunion” while trying to keep its Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance alive?
For political analysts, the current coalitions or political parties are unable to win enough seats to form a government on their own, so they need partners to achieve that majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia geostrategist Azmi Hassan said PAS is expected to “divorce” Bersatu and PN to go with Umno – under MN – to form a federal government.
This is because, he said, aside from Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Umno needs another party on its side to have enough support.
“The best choice post-GE would be PAS. The party has yet to completely shut the door on Umno, leaving room for possible cooperation,” he told Getaran, The Vibes’ sister portal.
He added that PAS knows where it stands with PN, possibly facing the same defeat it saw during the Melaka and Johor elections.
As for its recent statement contradicting PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Azmi said this could be an approach to easing tensions with Umno and keeping the door open for post-election cooperation.
Despite PAS’ overtures, the political analyst foresees an unavoidable PAS-Umno clash in three states – Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah.
“I see PAS as a kingmaker. Even if (Umno-led) Barisan Nasional gets many seats, it will not be enough to form a government.”
As for Universiti Teknologi Malaysia senior lecturer Mazlan Ali, the clashing opinions between PAS and Bersatu stem from their different directions heading into the general election.
“As long as PAS does not make its choice clear – between Bersatu and Umno – it will confuse fence-sitters on who they should vote for. But PAS is hoping to work with Umno after gauging the wins or losses after the polls.”
He did note that MN will be difficult in Kelantan and Terengganu, as the PAS and Umno divisions in the two states are at loggerheads.
Muhyiddin’s recent speech during Bersatu’s anniversary event saying that BN is their nemesis did not sit well with some of the PAS leaders.
Among them was PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, who said that party members are expected to adhere to the directive by spiritual adviser Datuk Hashim Jasin, who reminded all to realise the agenda of ummah unity.
Meanwhile, deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Mat responded, saying: “I don’t know if Umno is the enemy. If we fight each other, we both lose.”
PAS information chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin also reportedly said MN has a good chance of being revived.
Last Friday, the Umno Supreme Council acknowledged in a statement that a recent meeting took place between PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
In 2020, Umno and PAS submitted an application to register MN as an official political entity. – The Vibes, October 5, 2022