Bersatu at all-time low after PAS call to lead PN, says analyst

 

Bersatu leaders at the hoisting of the party flag at its annual conference. The party has lost four by-elections since 2022. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

A call by the PAS spiritual leader for his party to take charge of Perikatan Nasional reflects an all-time low for Muhyiddin Yassin’s Bersatu, says an analyst.

Tawfik Yaakub of Universiti Malaya believed the call was linked to Bersatu’s failure to keep its elected representatives in line, after six MPs and a Selangor assemblyman declared support for the unity government

He said Bersatu’s successive defeats in four by-elections, coupled with some disarray during its party elections earlier this month, were also seen as a signal of its faltering strength and influence.

The call by PAS spiritual adviser Hashim Jasin “proves that Bersatu is at its weakest point since its formation,” said Tawfik. PAS has lost faith in Bersatu’s ability to lead PN and to decide the coalition’s direction, he told FMT.

Tawfik added that PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, the Terengganu menteri besar, could fill the post of PN leader, given his professional and gentlemanly demeanour.

Yesterday, Hashim said PAS was more deserving of leading the opposition coalition since it had more MPs and a stronger grassroots network nationwide than Bersatu. He also said PAS did not have a record of elected representatives party-hopping, unlike Bersatu.

He later called for PN components to hold negotiations regarding the PN chairmanship, currently held by Muhyiddin. Whoever holds the post is expected to be the coalition’s poster boy for the next general election.

Bersatu has 25 seats in the Dewan Rakyat after its six MPs backed the government, while PAS holds 43. The Islamic party also leads the Perlis, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan state governments.

Akademi Nusantara analyst Azmi Hassan said PAS was far more superior in strength than Bersatu, while PN’s non-Malay component parties, Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party, could not hold their own in the political arena.

However, Azmi believed that PN’s top leader should not be based on a party’s number of seats but the individual figure’s capability to lead the coalition.

“Bersatu should continue to lead PN as both the head of the coalition and leader of the opposition, because, to me, Bersatu’s elected representatives are more qualified and outspoken,” he said.

He also said PN would struggle all the more to woo non-Malay votes if a PAS man becomes its poster boy, since the Islamic party had gained a reputation as an “extreme party”. - FMT