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A PAS leader has publicly voiced support for the Terengganu chief minister to assume the role of opposition leader in Parliament, adding to growing debate within the opposition coalition over the position.
Zaharudin Muhammad, who heads PAS in Sungai Buloh, said Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar would be a better choice for the post than the current opposition leader, Hamzah Zainuddin.
The remarks came after Hamzah stated that the position of opposition leader depends on the support of the majority of opposition members of parliament rather than the decision of any single party.
Responding to the statement on Facebook, Zaharudin argued that Ahmad Samsuri would be more effective in ensuring alignment within the opposition bloc.
“Between Hamzah and Dr Sam (referring to Ahmad Samsuri), for me it is far better for Dr Sam to become the Opposition Leader because coordination of work is important.
“If not, PN makes decision A, suddenly in Parliament the Opposition Leader makes decision B,” he said.
Hamzah, who is the member of parliament for Larut, said earlier that he would accept any decision if a majority of opposition MPs no longer wanted him to hold the position.
Zaharudin, who is also the son-in-law of PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, clarified that his support for Ahmad Samsuri was limited to the role of opposition leader and did not extend to the party’s candidate for prime minister.
He said he remained aligned with the view of PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin that the party’s potential candidates for prime minister should instead come from its senior leadership.
According to Zaharudin, the most suitable figures from PAS for the country’s top executive post would be deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man or vice-president Idris Ahmad.
“Opposition Leader in Parliament does not involve the administration of the country or the Federal Government.
“I hope all PN members of parliament can choose Dr Sam or Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan as Opposition Leader.
“I repeat once again, for (the candidate for) Prime Minister, it remains Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim or Datuk Idris (if the PM is from PAS),” he said. - March 16, 2026