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PAS could lose as many as 37 parliamentary seats if Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar is appointed chairman of Perikatan Nasional, according to a senior party figure citing undisclosed internal data, amid growing speculation over a leadership transition within the opposition coalition.
The warning came from Sungai Buloh PAS chief Zaharudin Muhammad, who is also the son-in-law of PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
In a strongly worded Facebook post, Zaharudin said internal assessments conducted by the party point to significant electoral risks should Ahmad Samsuri replace Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as PN chairman.
“Because I cannot disclose the data and the realities, I can only conclude that if Dr Sam becomes PN chairman to replace Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, I am deeply worried, based on the data I have, that PAS will lose 37 parliamentary seats under three scenarios and conditions that may occur,” he said.
Zaharudin said he was unable to publicly explain the scenarios involved, but cautioned party members against what he described as uncritical enthusiasm for elevating Ahmad Samsuri to a national leadership role.
“These scenarios cannot be stated openly. I am only concerned that friends are excited about promoting PAS, or more specifically Dr Sam, as PN chairman without realising that it is not good for PAS and Malaysia,” he said.
He added that any leadership decision should go through proper party processes, stressing the importance of collective deliberation and approval by PAS’s highest decision-making bodies.
“If PAS has made a decision in the PAS Central Committee meeting and the Syura Council has also approved it, then for me that is the best outcome,” he said. “But if this decision is made by only a handful of people and meetings are merely for notification without debate, then it is not blessed and it reflects the ‘Jebon’ modus operandi of the past.”
The remarks come after a Bersatu leader publicly claimed that PAS has already put forward Ahmad Samsuri as its nominee for the PN chairmanship.
Bersatu Supreme Leadership Council member Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik said PAS had proposed Ahmad Samsuri, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kemaman, during discussions at a recent Bersatu leadership meeting.
“PAS has submitted Dr Sam as its candidate for the post of PN chairman. However, the final appointment will be decided by the PN Supreme Council at its upcoming meeting,” Rahim said in a Facebook post.
Speculation over PN’s leadership has intensified in recent weeks, with Ahmad Samsuri frequently mentioned as a potential successor to Muhyiddin, raising questions about the coalition’s strategic direction and electoral prospects ahead of the next general election. - January 15, 2026
