Samsuri an ideal compromise for PAS, Bersatu, says analyst

 Azmi Hassan says Bersatu wants an opposition leader with a moderate image to help woo non-Malay voters, while PAS will be pleased that it holds the post.

Perikatan Nasional has named PAS’s Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as the new opposition leader, succeeding Hamzah Zainudin, formerly of Bersatu. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar was named the opposition leader as the Perikatan Nasional chairman represented an ideal compromise between PAS and Bersatu, following their recently strained ties, an analyst said.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Bersatu wanted an opposition leader with a moderate image to help woo non-Malay voters, while PAS had made no secret of its wish to have someone from the party appointed to the post.

“Bersatu wants a leader who does not come off as an extremist,” he told FMT, referring to the perception non-Malays have of PAS.

“Samsuri is part of the professional faction, so that ‘moderate’ image appeals to Bersatu.”

Azmi Hassan.

Azmi said that while PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan would make a good candidate, he comes off as “extreme”, compared to a mild-mannered Samsuri.

“So it is not a case of Samsuri having an edge over the other candidates eyed for the post, but he was a palatable choice.”

Samsuri was named opposition leader on Saturday, succeeding Hamzah Zainudin, who was sacked from Bersatu in February at the height of a leadership tussle with party president Muhyiddin Yassin.

Ties between PAS and Bersatu have been further strained following the Perlis political crisis which saw a Bersatu assemblyman succeed an elected representative from PAS as the menteri besar.

Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University of Malaysia and Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said Samsuri’s appointment boiled down to his “moderate” image.

Syaza Shukri.

Syaza said that PAS often presents Samsuri as an educated “technocrat,” positioning him in contrast to the party’s more conservative ulama faction.

“And he has not really made any controversial statements,” she said, in contrast to divisive comments that have come from various other leaders of the Islamic party, including its president, Abdul Hadi Awang.

Mazlan said a technocrat like Samsuri was a better option than a PAS leader from the ulama faction as religious scholars are rarely well-versed in governance or a constitution modelled on the British Westminster system.

Mazlan Ali.

On the other hand, professionals, like economists for example, were better adapted at understanding governance-related matters, he added.

“That is why it is difficult for those who pursued religious studies, like Hadi, to take on the role of opposition leader.”

Mazlan pointed out that the country’s present and former prime ministers have all come from a professional background.

He said a technocrat would appeal to Malaysia’s multiracial makeup.

“That is difficult for the ulamas to do, as non-Muslims would be wary of them.” - FMT