PAS is the only party in Perikatan Nasional (PN) that remains strong with Bersatu having to grapple with public feuds and defections since the 2022 general election (GE15), says an analyst.
Political scientist Wong Chin Huat of Sunway University said PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that the coalition “remained strong” was aimed at retaining the confidence of supporters amid the ongoing “civil war” in Bersatu.
Wong said the reality was that only PAS was stable while Bersatu had lost some of its strength with six MPs no longer with the party after backing the unity government.
PAS and Bersatu are the only PN components with federal seats, while Gerakan has one assemblyman in Kedah.
“From having 31 MPs after GE15, eight of them are ‘gone’ in three years – six of them stated support for the government, one was sacked, and another has been suspended.
“The addition of new components friendly to PN does not help counter these losses,” he told FMT.
Muhyiddin, the president of Bersatu, said PN was now stronger and ready to return to power in Putrajaya at the next general election.
The former prime minister said the opposition now represented people of all ethnicities, and that more people were showing interest in joining its component parties, which are Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan and Malaysian Indian People’s Party.
PN is also spearheading a loose coalition of parties outside the government bloc, which includes the four PN components and other entities like Pejuang, Muda, Putra, Berjasa, Urimai, the Malaysian Advancement Party and the National Indian Muslim Alliance Party.
PN formed the federal government in 2020 with Barisan Nasional and parties from Sarawak and Sabah. However, the Muhyiddin-led government lasted only 18 months, ending after several Umno MPs withdrew their support.
Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya said Muhyiddin’s statement appeared to be a “damage control” measure amid confusion and unease among Bersatu grassroots.
“PAS’s dominance in PN, the turmoil and unclear direction in Bersatu – these have all undermined the credibility of the message that PN is in a stronger position,” he said.
Awang Azman also said PN was still struggling to win over non-Malay and urban voters – a key demographic if the coalition wished to return to federal power.
