International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst and Iseas–Yusof Ishak Institute fellow Assoc Prof Dr Syaza Shukri said PN is already dominated by PAS.
PETALING JAYA: A PAS-led Perikatan Nasional (PN) will not change anything within the coalition as it is already widely perceived to be dominated by the Islamic party, say analysts.
International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst and Iseas–Yusof Ishak Institute fellow Assoc Prof Dr Syaza Shukri said PN is already dominated by PAS.
“So if PAS were to officially lead the coalition, it would largely amount to the status quo,” she told theSun via WhatsApp.
She cautioned that formalising PAS’ leadership could complicate PN’s efforts to appeal to the voters beyond its traditional base.
“The difference is that an officially PAS-led PN may find it even more difficult to convince non-Malay voters to support the coalition. That said, even now, PN’s voter base is predominantly Malay.”
On the question of who might emerge as chairman, Syaza said the situation is not easily predictable.
“I think even within PAS there is recognition that this is not a straightforward decision.”
She said PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is seen by some as a technocratic and relatively moderate figure, is the frontrunner to become the next PN chairman.
“The mention of (Terengganu menteri besar) Dr Sam suggests that PAS is aware of its own limitations and knows the importance of projecting a more moderate, technocratic image at the national level.
“The key question is whether the ulama faction will be comfortable with such a figure taking on a central leadership role.”
Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the internal turmoil currently facing Bersatu is unlikely to significantly alter the trajectory of PN.
He said if PAS is formally given the opportunity to lead the coalition, the choice of chairman would be crucial, with Samsuri the likely compromise candidate who could be agreed upon by Bersatu and PAS.
“If PAS takes the chairmanship and someone like Dr Sam leads, it could help ease tensions between PAS and Bersatu.”
Azmi said PAS has strategically leveraged the controversy surrounding Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to pressure Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to relinquish the PN chairmanship.
By maintaining that Hamzah remains opposition leader, PAS has positioned itself as holding moral and political leverage within the coalition.
“In this situation, PAS can argue that if Bersatu and the other component parties wish to decide on who will be the opposition leader then PAS should be entrusted with the PN chairmanship.
“For PAS, leading PN through the chairmanship is a clear demonstration of dominance.
“ They currently hold political capital by defending and supporting Hamzah as opposition leader. There must be some form of reciprocity in this arrangement.”
Bersatu and PAS have been at odds ever since Bersatu named Muhyiddin as the prime minister candidate at the party’s last annual general assembly.
The relationship strained further following the Perlis menteri besar saga that saw PAS’ own menteri besar was replaced by a Bersatu assemblyman after losing support from the majority of the Perlis state legislative assembly.