PETALING JAYA: The appointment of a Bersatu leader as Perlis Mentri Besar may help rebalance power within Perikatan Nasional but risks fuelling dissatisfaction among PAS grassroots, say analysts.
According to them, the leadership change is more about managing internal power-sharing than ideology.
Abu Bakar Hamzah, the Kuala Perlis assemblyman and Perlis Bersatu chief, was sworn in at Istana Arau yesterday after receiving the consent of the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.
His appointment marked the first time Bersatu is taking the helm of the state following the resignation of PAS’ Mohd Shukri Ramli on Thursday, citing health reasons.
The political crisis was triggered after eight Perikatan assemblymen were reported to have signed statutory declarations withdrawing support for Mohd Shukri. They included three from PAS, whose party memberships were later terminated.
Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia said appointing a new MB from Bersatu could help recalibrate internal power dynamics within Perikatan but it comes with political costs.
“The move helps to rebalance power within the coalition but it risks dissatisfaction from PAS grassroots, who feel they have stronger electoral legitimacy in Perlis,” he said when contacted, adding that the episode highlighted deep structural issues within Perikatan.
“Either way, the appointment is less about ideology and more about managing internal power-sharing.”
Prof Sivamurugan described the Perlis saga as evidence that Perikatan is “strong at the ballot box but weak in internal governance”.
On whether the fallout would affect Perikatan cooperation in the next general election, he said the coalition would likely remain intact in the short term for electoral survival but warned of long-term consequences.
“Trust deficits arising from the latest development will weaken coordination, seat negotiations and campaign cohesion going into the next general election,” he said.
Prof Sivamurugan added that unresolved tensions between PAS and Bersatu could continue to erode unity, especially at the grassroots and state levels.
On the unity government front, he said the crisis did not automatically translate into gains for Pakatan Harapan but strengthened its narrative as a more stable governing alternative, provided it delivers on economic and cost-of-living issues ahead of the next general election.
Meanwhile, Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub of Universiti Malaya took a more critical view, describing the leadership change as a political coup against PAS.
“In my view, PAS should immediately reconsider its cooperation with Bersatu,” he said, pointing out that the move undermined PAS’ political dignity, given its numerical strength in the state assembly.
Tawfik predicted that Perikatan’s internal fracture would worsen rather than heal.
“This is only the beginning of a deeper split. Perikatan’s survival is doubtful due to the absence of sincerity in managing political cooperation,” he said.
He added that the situation could become even more volatile if by-elections are held for the three seats and the Islamist party retains its majority.
“For PAS to remain silent in such a scenario is impossible.”
National Council of Professors fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said the appointment came as a surprise but argued that PAS’ own actions had weakened its position.
“This is a big blow for PAS because they have effectively lost control of one of their SG4 states, even though they remain part of Perikatan,” he said, describing the party’s decision to expel the three assemblymen as a “critical turning point”.
Azmi said the episode reinforced perceptions that Bersatu holds the upper hand within Perikatan.
“They cannot even agree on basic matters such as a prime ministerial candidate.
“This shows PAS and Bersatu are slowly moving in different directions,” he said, adding that the Perlis crisis reflected miscalculations by PAS and shrewd political manoeuvring by Bersatu.
