ALOR SETAR: The ongoing dispute between PAS and Bersatu over who should be Perikatan Nasional’s prime ministerial candidate risks escalating into a rupture that could break the coalition apart, warn political analysts.
Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said calls by PAS leaders, including its influential spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin, for the party to take the lead in Perikatan were driven by PAS’ larger number of parliamentary seats in the Dewan Rakyat.
“While such calls are in line with the conventions of parliamentary democracy, Bersatu continues to project a more moderate public image compared to PAS,” he said yesterday.
Awang Azman warned that if PAS presses its claim too aggressively, it could alienate Bersatu and weaken the coalition’s cohesion.
On Sept 14, PAS announced its intention to lead Perikatan into the 16th General Election and to put forward its own prime ministerial candidate. The party also proposed adopting its green and white flag as the coalition’s common symbol.
Awang Azman said PAS’ stronger political mandate and pressure from its grassroots had emboldened the party to stake a claim for the top post.
However, he noted that PAS continues to face perception hurdles, as it is often viewed by the wider public as too Islamist, rigid and less appealing to non-Malays.
“Bersatu is aware that nominating a prime ministerial candidate from PAS could alienate non-Malay voters as well as international stakeholders, thereby diminishing Perikatan’s ability to attract foreign investment and maintain strong diplomatic ties,” he said.
To break the impasse, Awang Azman suggested both parties consider forming a formal decision-making body such as a Perikatan Presidential Council, which could collectively determine the prime ministerial candidate rather than basing the decision solely on seat numbers.
He said the selection process should weigh three factors: political legitimacy through parliamentary seats, national acceptability in securing multiethnic support and international credibility by choosing a moderate leader suitable for a pluralistic society.
“The dispute is about more than just naming a prime ministerial candidate, it reflects a deeper identity struggle within Perikatan.
“While PAS holds numerical strength, Bersatu holds strength in image. Both are interdependent, and if the conflict is not managed wisely, it could escalate into a rupture that breaks the coalition apart,” Awang Azman added.
Another political analyst, Dr Azmi Hasan echoed this concern, saying PAS’ decision to retain its top five leaders without contest signals stability, especially compared to Bersatu, where delegates recently called for the resignation of their party president.
He said it reflects poorly on the coalition that its key components are openly quarrelling over who should be their designated prime minister.
“They can’t even agree on something as simple as naming their own ‘poster boy’,” he said.
Political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said it was clear that PAS now intends to take over Perikatan, drawing confidence from its parliamentary strength and grassroots machinery.
He said PAS appears keen to lead the coalition first before committing to a prime ministerial candidate.
“Given that Bersatu currently dominates most of the coalition’s top posts, PAS may be looking to shift the power balance, either by proposing its own candidate or by suggesting an alternative to Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, should there be no consensus on his leadership,” he said.
