Analysts say PAS Youth’s proposal for the party to head Perikatan Nasional and assume the country’s top leadership posts reflects the true sentiments of its grassroots, who feel the party is more capable than Bersatu.
Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya said the motion reflects PAS‘s aspirations as a more stable, structured, and grassroots-based party compared with Bersatu, which often faces internal turmoil.
However, he said the move could strain ties between PAS and Bersatu as it risks undermining the latter, which considers its president, Muhyiddin Yassin, as PN’s prime ministerial candidate for the next general election (GE16).
“This motion reflects an internal confidence that PAS now has the political capacity, machinery, and legitimacy to lead PN, rather than just being Bersatu’s junior partner,” he told FMT.
“If left unchecked, this could spark internal conflict in PN, leading to Bersatu being sidelined while PAS grows bolder in demanding the top position.
“The motion needs to be brought to the PN presidential council for formal discussion, rather than being turned into open conflict.”
Awang Azman said discussing the motion at the PN presidential council will allow PAS to gauge Bersatu’s reaction and provide a chance for Muhyiddin and Bersatu leaders to assess the matter and work out a compromise.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said PAS believes it is more deserving of the leadership role as it holds the most parliamentary seats.
However, he warned that PN being led by PAS would further alienate non-Malay voters due to the party’s hardline image.
“Even with Bersatu in charge, PN already struggles to win the trust of non-Malay voters, let alone if PAS were to lead.
“This will certainly add to PN’s weaknesses in attracting non-Malay support, which has long been one of its shortcomings,” he said.
Yesterday, PAS Youth unanimously approved a motion for the party to lead PN and the country, to be tabled at the 71st PAS muktamar starting on Monday.
The motion was one of four approved, alongside resolutions on championing the Palestinian cause, defending state rights over rare earth resources, and rejecting the Urban Renewal Bill.
