Analyst Syaza Shukri says PAS wouldn't want to be seen as causing instability, especially as the Perlis ruler has called for the current government to remain until the end of its term.
Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said PAS’s move had led to uncertainty over Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) status, throwing the Perlis government led by Bersatu’s Abu Bakar Hamzah into limbo.
Nonetheless, she told FMT that PAS could continue backing the state government under a confidence and supply agreement, despite not being allies on paper.
She also noted that Abu Bakar’s state executive council only comprised Bersatu assemblymen.
“Prior to PAS’s decision, the narrative being pushed was that the Perlis government is a PN government. But the latest developments have put PN in a state of uncertainty.
“Nonetheless, current trends indicate that PAS will be more inclined to preserving the Perlis administration’s stability instead of being seen as the cause of political instability,” she said.
Bersatu has five assemblymen in the 15-member Perlis assembly while the Abu Bakar administration is backed by PAS’s six assemblymen.
Three PAS assemblymen had their seats vacated in December for retracting support for then menteri besar Shukri Ramli, also of PAS.
After Abu Bakar was appointed to replace Shukri, who resigned, PAS opted to stay out of the state executive council.
Yesterday, Perlis PAS admitted that it was facing a dilemma following the central leadership’s decision to end its alliance with Bersatu.
State information chief Zahid Ibrahim said the chapter accepted the central committee’s decision but needed to consider the Raja of Perlis Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail’s call for the current administration to remain until the end of the state assembly’s term.
Akademi Nusantara’s Azmi Hassan said it was not extraordinary for political parties to take different approaches at the state level according to their interests.
He pointed to Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) relationship, particularly the former’s decision to go solo in the upcoming Johor polls despite being federal allies with PH.
“On top of that, there is the call made by the Perlis ruler. So, to me it’s neither impossible nor difficult for this Perlis government to remain.”
Ahmad Zaharuddin Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting agreed, saying PAS risked being perceived as disregarding the Raja of Perlis if it withdrew support for Abu Bakar. - FMT
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