Stuck between allies, PAS must bide their time, says analyst

 

Party leaders Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Muhyiddin Yassin and Abdul Hadi Awang, partners in Muafakat Nasional. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: A political analyst says PAS, sandwiched between reluctant allies Umno and PPBM. will continue to take a “wait-and-see” approach rather than take sides.

But if forced to choose, the Islamic party will side with PPBM, says former Universiti Teknologi Malaysia academic Azmi Hassan. PAS is pragmatic and fully aware that they need allies for the next general election.

“Their wait-and-see approach has served them well so far and I believe the status quo suits them. They will be more inclined to side with PPBM as seat negotiations will be much easier, and clashes over seats will be minimal.”

An Umno leader, information chief Shahril Hamdan, has also said it was clear that PAS wanted the three parties to stick together. PAS was also aware that PPBM needed them more than Umno, which is willing to go it alone.

Azmi Hassan.

“So PAS will have a lot more leverage with PPBM because they need a strong political partner especially if they have to face Umno,” Aziz said. PPBM’s dependence on PAS meant that PAS could have a bigger say in politics and administration, and would strengthen the party’s credentials among its voter base.

Azmi said he believed that PAS would have better chances if it worked with Umno instead of PPBM, but this is not the party’s main consideration. At the same time, he said, there was always room for reconciliation for PAS and BN should they clash in the election.

Bridget Welsh.

“But PAS leaders must know, deep in their hearts, that they are stronger with Umno,” he said.

Bridget Welsh of the University of Nottingham Malaysia believes that ideally, PAS would not want to choose between Umno and PPBM but were more likely to favour the latter for placing the party in a greater position of strength through access to federal power.

She added if BN opts against working with Perikatan Nasional, PPBM would need PAS “more than ever” for their election machinery.

“ (But) ideally, PAS want everyone together because this is to their advantage. They realise unity among Malay political parties is a strength for them. This is partly why there’s been considerable push to the narrative of bringing everyone together.” - FMT