PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin has suggested that the party should consider contesting the 16th General Election (GE16) on its own if the prolonged impasse over Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) chairmanship remains unresolved. He said the uncertainty surrounding the coalition’s leadership had dragged on for too long and risked weakening political focus ahead of the next polls.
Hashim expressed confidence that PAS possesses sufficient strength to perform independently, pointing to its firm control over four state governments as evidence of its electoral resilience. He argued that rather than remaining locked in internal disputes, PAS could chart its own path and reassess alliances after the election results are known.
According to him, a solo approach would allow the party to concentrate on its campaign and mandate, with the option to negotiate with other political forces to form a government once GE16 concludes. He stressed, however, that while independence is a viable option, existing differences between PAS and Bersatu should still be resolved through amicable dialogue if possible.
The remarks come amid ongoing uncertainty within PN following the resignation of Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as coalition chairman, which took effect on January 1, 2026. His departure, linked to the political crisis in Perlis, left PN without a confirmed leader, triggering competing views on how the coalition should be restructured.
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang had earlier asserted the party’s claim to the chairmanship on behalf of PAS, although he was reported to have ruled himself out of the position due to health considerations. The situation grew more complex after the circulation of a letter dated January 27, 2026, attributed to Muhyiddin, which outlined a proposal to abolish the PN chairman’s post entirely.
In the letter, Muhyiddin claimed that Bersatu and PAS had reached a consensus during a meeting at his residence to restructure PN. Under the proposed arrangement, Bersatu would lead a presidential council while PAS would head the coalition’s executive committee. Senior PAS leaders were said to have been present at the discussion.
However, the account was later disputed when PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man rejected the claim that such an agreement had been finalised. The denial added to growing confusion over the coalition’s direction and decision-making process.
Tensions were further highlighted when an emergency PN Supreme Council meeting was cancelled and replaced with a pre-council discussion involving component party heads at Muhyiddin’s residence. PAS did not attend the session, reinforcing perceptions of a widening rift within the opposition bloc.
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