Kemaman springboard for Samsuri?

On the ground: Ahmad Samsuri meeting voters in Pasir Minal and Binjai in the Air Putih state constituency. — Photo courtesy of Ahmad Samsuri’s Facebook page

Being elected as MP could pave the way for the possible future PM candidate, say analysts

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar’s election as Kemaman MP could pave the way for him to become Perikatan Nasional’s future candidate for prime minister as it would give him exposure at the parliamentary level, said analysts.

Talk that Ahmad Samsuri is being primed for this role is already making the rounds during the campaign for the Kemaman parliamentary by-election where he is Perikatan’s flag-bearer.

However, they argued that Ahmad Samsuri would not necessarily bring any advantage to Perikatan’s chances to take over the Federal Government in future general elections.

Also, the internal dynamics of the Perikatan coalition could be a stumbling block to his ascent as a potential prime minister.

Political scientist Dr Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar acknowledged that Ahmad Samsuri is a potential prime minister candidate from PAS as he is popular among voters.

“He seems to be well liked by voters and looks like a potential PM candidate from PAS if Perikatan forms the government,” said Tunku Mohar of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

PAS is the largest party in the Perikatan federal opposition coalition along with Bersatu and Gerakan.

“Ahmad Samsuri is also the vice-president of the party. But in terms of seniority, it does not reflect well on the party leadership if its president and deputy are bypassed,” said Tunku Mohar.

He added that Bersatu has always positioned itself as the lead party in Perikatan.

“I think Bersatu would insist that the PM post be reserved for it. So far, of course, there hasn’t been any serious or official discussion on this,” he said.

At a press conference on Nov 21, Ahmad Samsuri dismissed the speculation that he was being groomed to be a prime minister candidate.

“They said it and not me. We cannot stop people from speculating. People say all kinds of things. What can I say?” he told reporters in Kuala Terengganu.

Dr Mazlan Ali, another analyst, said Ahmad Samsuri’s influence in Terengganu was strengthened after he managed to retain the Perikatan administration for a second term.

The August state election saw Perikatan making a historic clean sweep of all 32 state seats.

“He is a suitable PM candidate but the problem is that the coalition he represents may not allow him to be in that position,” said Mazlan of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Perdana Centre.

“Because PAS is difficult to be trusted by all races in the country. Compared with Bersatu, the party led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, which is more moderate than PAS,” he said.

Mazlan added that the popularity of Perikatan is centred on Muhyiddin, its chairman, and not on PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.

“Though PAS is the largest party in Parliament, the Opposition leader is from Bersatu and not the Islamist party. That is why it is difficult for Ahmad Samsuri to be prime minister in the future,” he said.

Associate Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said that at present, Ahmad Samsuri lacks an international presence in the Western and Arabic world as well as South-East Asia.

“This applies not just to him, but also to other PAS senior leaders,” added Awang Azman of Universiti Malaya.

In the 15th General Election last year, Perikatan won all eight Parliament seats in Terengganu, including Kemaman.

But an Election Court recently nullified the results in Kemaman after finding evidence of bribery during the campaign, thus triggering the by-election.