Analysts: PAS' olive branch to BN seen as path to power

 

Despite being the largest single party in the Dewan Rakyat and recently taking the helm of Perikatan Nasional, PAS has been making increasingly overt efforts to mend ties with its longtime foe, BN.

The shift was particularly evident during the recent Johor state election, when PAS urged its supporters to back BN candidates in constituencies where PN was not contesting. The party is expected to adopt the same approach in the upcoming Negeri Sembilan polls.

Analysts interviewed by Malaysiakini said the move reflects PAS’ growing belief that its most viable path back to Putrajaya lies in working with BN rather than confronting it.

“I think this is PAS’ strategy to come to power through cooperation with Umno/BN,” said political scientist Syaza Shukri.

“PAS has realised that it has reached the saturation point in terms of support base. They have already captured the votes of conservative Islamists, but that’s not enough.

“If they can charm Umno (into working together) then that could give them close to a majority in Parliament,” she added.

Asked whether this means PAS is now willing to play second fiddle to Umno, the International Islamic University Malaysia associate professor noted that the Islamist party has never publicly expressed interest in the prime ministership.

Syaza said aspirations for PAS to lead the federal government have largely come from its grassroots, while the party’s top leadership has generally refrained from pursuing the idea openly.

“So it’s not a problem to them if Umno wants to take the prime minister seat. At least when in power, they (PAS) can push for policies they want,” she said.

Similarly, political observer Oh Ei Sun said that while PAS is confident it will remain the largest parliamentary party with even more seats than it currently holds, it is unlikely to secure an outright majority.

That necessitates its collaboration with Umno and other significant Malay parties, such as Parti Wawasan Negara - the new party led by former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin.

“As they (PAS) have the most seats, they would dictate policy terms whether or not the PM is from their party,” said Oh, who is the principal adviser of Pacific Research Center.

Walking a tightrope

Meanwhile, academician Awang Azman Awang Pawi said PAS’ outreach to Umno forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen its political position while paving its way back to power.

Having BN as an ally would also allow PAS to sideline Bersatu, which has long been a stumbling block in its relationship with Umno.

The approach also enables PAS to keep Pakatan Harapan at bay, albeit by helping reinforce the position of its longtime adversary, Awang Azman added.

“In the federal context, the possibility of PAS accepting Umno as the leading party and it taking the deputy prime ministership does exist, provided Umno holds more parliamentary seats.

“However, there is no evidence of any formal agreement to that effect.

“PAS may be willing to accept a secondary position in terms of office, but it would likely seek significant influence over religious policy, education, governance, and political appointments,” said the professor of Malay Studies at Universiti Malaya.

However, he warned that PAS’ strategy could backfire if the party is perceived as inconsistent, causing it to lose its identity as a strong opposition force.

This could ultimately help Umno reassert its dominance while reducing PAS to a junior partner dependent on Umno’s goodwill, he said. - Mkini