KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar’s (pic) stature as a technocrat and professional has made him acceptable to all Perikatan Nasional components as its new chairman, it was pointed out.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Dr Mazlan Ali said the PAS vice-president and Terengganu Mentri Besar’s background worked in his favour with Bersatu, Gerakan and MIPP.
“He is more of a compromise because there are many others in PAS above him such as party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
“But Abdul Hadi has said he does not want the position due to his health.
“However, the parties in Perikatan were worried that if PAS held this position, the Malay-Islam narrative would become even stronger, especially if a religious leader assumed the post.
“So, among all the possible names, the one considered acceptable to everyone was Ahmad Samsuri because of his professional background,” he added.
Mazlan said with the sacking of Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin as Bersatu deputy president, PAS is likely to dominate in Perikatan.
“It cannot be denied that PAS is also gunning for the post of Opposition Leader, which Hamzah holds,” he added.
Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia said appointing Ahmad Samsuri to head Perikatan with the endorsement of the multiracial parties does not automatically make PAS acceptable to all races.
“The elevation of Ahmad Samsuri signals an attempt to project a more technocratic and moderate image, but PAS’s multi-ethnic acceptability still depends on policy moderation, not just leadership optics.
“Structurally, PAS now dominates Perikatan, and Bersatu may look sidelined with PAS holding the strategic helm of the coalition.
“If managed well, Perikatan can evolve from a personality-driven Opposition to a more institutionalised ‘government-in-waiting’.
“If mismanaged, latent leadership rivalry could resurface as before,” he said.
