Is there finally a “true contender” from the opposition for the nation's prime minister's post in the form of the highly regarded PAS vice-president Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar – popularly known as Dr Sam?
The recent appointment of Dr Samsuri as the Chairman of Perikatan Nasional (PN) on February 22, 2026, should serve as a clear signal that the opposition coalition’s internal power dynamics has now shifted decisively in favour of PAS.
The news should not have come as a big surprise, as the Terengganu Menteri Besar – a Hadi Awang loyalist – is viewed by many as the ideal prime ministerial candidate; proof that a PAS-led PN government can be helmed by a capable professional, and not just by some conservative religious figure head.
Nevertheless, for Dr Samsuri, a qualified aerospace engineer often promoted as a "technocrat”, the biggest challenge will probably be striking a balance between gaining the acceptance of the all-powerful ulama (religious scholars) faction in PAS and wooing Malay fence-sitters as well as the non-Malay electorate.
Incidentally, following his appointment, sacked Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin and 18 other lawmakers aligned to him have also swiftly pledged their full support for the newly-minted PN chief.
However, given that Hamzah himself was earlier being touted as a prime ministerial “poster boy”, and with the wounded “warhorse” Muhyiddin still very much in the frame, what political observers would be asking is: for how long can peace hold firm in the embattled opposition coalition?
So the PAS candidate still has some hurdles to cross?
Meanwhile, it should be noted that Dr Samsuri was also previously the political secretary to party president Hadi Awang, which may beg the question: would the PAS vice-president be able to escape the Marang MP’s long shadow – or will he remain beholden to his revered mentor?
Historically, under Hadi's leadership, the Islamist party is not known to favour moderates and progressives, which previously saw popular leaders such as Mohamad Sabu and Salahuddin Ayub “pushed out” by the powerful conservative ulama wing – eventually prompting the creation of the splinter party Amanah.
In that context, Dr Samsuri’s elevation to the post of PN chief – effectively thrusting PAS to become the main driver of the opposition – is bound to reignite debate regarding the role of the ulama as the dominant force behind national policies, should the party come to power.
Truth be told, there are lingering fears among certain quarters in the country that in the long run, the Islamist party may be tempted to emulate the “Iranian model” – with a supreme religious council having the final say in civil and political matters.
As it is, its Syura Council – controlled by the ulama – is believed to already wield immense power in decision making. Consequently, critics may ask: even if Dr Samsuri ascends to the premiership under a PAS-led coalition government, wouldn't the influential Hadi and other fundamentalists allied to him act as the ultimate “puppet masters?”
Is Terengganu a “living example” of how a PAS-ruled nation may be governed in the future when Muslims form the super majority in the country?
In reality, despite Dr Samsuri’s image as a pragmatic administrator, under his watch the state government has introduced controversial “Islamic laws” such as the ban on unisex salons as well as imposing strict dress codes – including on tourists and its own athletes. And what about the much publicized whipping that was carried out in a mosque compound in Kuala Terengganu in 2024.
Having said that, the notion of a capable, moderate PAS leader as the prime minister of a multiracial nation may yet be palatable to many non-Malays. This is especially so if the current Madani government under PM Anwar continues to draw fire for its alleged selective approach in fighting corruption, its perceived delay in delivering promised key reforms, and crucially, its inability to decisively rein in the country's escalating ethno-religious tensions.
Interestingly, in 2023, the affable Dr Samsuri was widely applauded after inviting Transport Minister Anthony Loke, the leader of his party's bitter enemy DAP, for breakfast – a gesture of cordiality and statesmanship rarely witnessed in the “dog-eat-dog” world of Malaysian politics.
Is there still hope then for a PAS-led government to work with DAP again – in the not-too-distant future?
In conclusion, it's still early days yet in a country where the weather is easier to predict than political outcomes. As such, should Dr Samsuri aim for the top, he may have a real battle in his hands trying to win the backing of hard-liners from within his own party. But more significantly, he will need to fully convince the non-Malay electorate that he won't be a mere “proxy” to the true power brokers within the PAS hierarchy.
Main information source: Vibes, FMT and Malaysiakini.
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