KANGAR: The entry of the Pas Ulama wing into the Perlis menteri besar dispute has reignited debate over the extent of clerical influence within the party, as infighting within Perikatan Nasional (PN) deepens into a crisis threatening the coalition’s stability.
Perlis Pas Ulama wing chief Ahmad Adnan Fadziil today moved to counter allegations that the party’s three assemblymen, together with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, engineered the downfall of former menteri besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.
In a statement, Ahmad Adnan defended the eight PN assemblymen who withdrew support for Mohd Shukri, insisting there was no element of betrayal.
His intervention came a day after Pas spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin (image) called for restraint and a return to ummah unity.
A party insider told Twentytwo13 that while the Ulama wing no longer wields the authority it once did during the era of the late Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, its views still carry weight within Pas’ decision-making structure.
“The Mursyidul Am remains influential because he sits on the Syura Council, Pas’ highest decision-making body. However, there is clear impatience among younger members, especially following the removal of a Pas menteri besar,” the source said.
In a statement yesterday, Hashim urged Pas and Bersatu leaders to halt personal attacks and refocus on unity, warning that political differences should not escalate into hostility that fractures relationships.
Hashim’s remarks came hours after Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced his resignation as PN chairman effective Jan 1, 2026, a move that triggered coordinated resignations by Bersatu leaders from PN positions in five states.
Muhyiddin’s exit occurred against the backdrop of rising tensions between Bersatu and Pas following the appointment of Bersatu’s Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah as Menteri Besar, replacing Mohd Shukri, who resigned last week after three years in office.
Addressing the controversy, Ahmad Adnan rejected claims that Pas and Bersatu assemblymen had conspired against Mohd Shukri and dismissed allegations that the Perlis royal institution was involved in a plot to remove him.
He said the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, had remained open to appointing a menteri besar from Pas before ultimately naming Abu Bakar.
Ahmad Adnan instead attributed the crisis to a failure by the party entrusted with negotiations to manage discussions effectively with Istana Arau on Pas’ behalf, though he did not identify the party concerned.
He also called for Pas to remain part of the Perlis state executive council alongside Bersatu and cautioned against triggering by-elections following the termination of party membership of the three Pas assemblymen – a position that diverged from earlier remarks by Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
Those calls appeared to gain institutional traction when the Perlis State Legislative Assembly today withdrew its earlier notification on the need to hold by-elections for three seats declared vacant under extraordinary circumstances.
Speaker Rus’sele Eizan said the decision was made after considering recent developments, including assurances from Pas that it remains committed to supporting the Perlis state government under PN.
The seats involved – Chuping, Bintong and Guar Sanji – had previously been declared vacant following the disqualification of their Pas assemblymen under Article 50A(1)(a)(ii) of the Perlis State Constitution (Amendment) Enactment 2022.
Although formal notice had been issued under Article 55 on the need for by-elections, Rus’sele said the stability of the state government was not affected as PN continues to command a strong majority with 11 of the 15 seats.
“In light of the assurances provided by Pas and the menteri besar’s public commitment to a unity agenda, there is no necessity at this stage to proceed with by-elections,” he said, adding that the extraordinary vacancies remain legally in force.
Meanwhile, a source close to Perlis Pas said the backlash against Bersatu and the three Pas assemblymen was driven more by political scapegoating than by facts.
“Problems linked to Mohd Shukri’s leadership had persisted for more than two years. Assemblymen relied on Pas leadership to resolve the situation, but conditions did not improve,” the source said.
“At certain points, assemblymen, including executive councillors, went months without state funds to implement programmes. This undermined performance, particularly given high public expectations of PN’s first administration in Perlis.”
Political analyst Muhammad Izmer Yusof of Universiti Malaysia Perlis said Pas must urgently manage public perception of the crisis, warning that contradictory statements from party leaders risk deepening confusion.
“Statements by the Pas Ulama wing contradict earlier narratives from Pas leadership. Instead of clarifying matters, this has intensified speculation,” he told Twentytwo13.
Izmer said the absence of a unified PN position had led to confrontation rather than resolution, and warned that continued disunity could weaken the coalition structurally.
“PN leaders must meet and issue a consensus statement focused on damage control. Failure to do so will signal systemic weaknesses that could ultimately threaten PN’s survival,” he said.
He added that if Pas were to assume leadership of PN, the coalition would likely retain dominance in Malay-majority states such as Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and possibly Perlis, but would continue to struggle to broaden its non-Malay support base.
Yesterday, Takiyuddin said Pas was prepared to lead PN. However, Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said today that no decision has yet been made on a successor to Muhyiddin.