Former UMNO Supreme Council member Isham Jalil has voiced support for a PAS leader to become Malaysia’s next prime minister, pointing to what he views as the party’s comparatively clean record in corruption matters.
In a recent video address, Isham stressed that kickbacks in government projects remain a lingering issue under the current unity administration. He argued that such practices, which contributed to Barisan Nasional’s fall in 2018, can only be addressed through the implementation of strong political funding laws.
According to Isham, effective reform requires leadership that is not only committed to the fight against corruption but also hails from a party largely untainted by graft scandals. He remarked that PAS appears to have the fewest corruption controversies among Malaysia’s major political parties, which for him makes the party’s leaders suitable candidates for the top post.
Highlighting his personal stance, Isham explained that his intention is to collaborate with PAS to support one of its leaders for the premiership, even though he is not a member of the Islamist party. He framed his position as a strategic choice aimed at bringing cleaner governance to the highest level of national leadership.
Isham’s political journey has taken a sharp turn in recent months. Once a vocal figure within UMNO, he was expelled from the party in December 2023 after openly criticising its cooperation with DAP. Following his dismissal, he began aligning with the opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional (PN) and was seen participating in a PN rally in July this year.
The question of who will ultimately be PN’s prime ministerial candidate remains unresolved. Some within PAS have floated the name of Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as a potential choice. However, significant segments of Bersatu and Gerakan still express preference for former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
PAS leaders have maintained that any decision on the coalition’s prime ministerial nominee will only be made once the bloc secures federal power. For now, Isham’s endorsement adds another voice to the growing conversation over leadership alternatives in Malaysia’s political landscape.
By aligning himself with PAS’s anti-corruption image, Isham positions the party as a viable alternative to the current administration, framing the debate not only as a political contest but as a test of integrity at the highest level of governance.
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