KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat waits for its new Opposition leader and it remains to be seen whether newly-minted Perikatan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar or PAS veterans Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man or Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan would take on the role.
While the former is a first time MP, the other two are seasoned MPs. The three are seen as frontrunners for the role due to their seniority in the party. Ahmad Samsuri is PAS vice-chief, Tuan Ibrahim is the deputy president, and Takiyuddin is the party's secretary-general.
As at press time, the seating position of Larut MP Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has yet to change despite a week having passed since he was given the boot from Bersatu.
Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi says Takiyuddin is the more suitable candidate as he possesses a broader experience at the federal level, has a legal background, and understands parliamentary procedures in depth giving him a tactical advantage in debates and cross-party negotiations.
“His relatively moderate and pragmatic image also makes him more acceptable to the various components within Perikatan without triggering internal friction,” he said when contacted.
Awang Azman said Samsuri should focus fully on his new role as Perikatan chairman in order to strengthen the coalition’s strategic coordination ahead of the next general election, rather than being burdened with the day-to-day operational responsibilities in Parliament.
“PAS, meanwhile, ought to diversify leadership roles among its senior figures to broaden their administrative exposure and policy experience, as preparation in the event that they form the federal government in the future,” he said.
However, an exception would arise if Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang intends to elevate Samsuri as Perikatan’s prospective Prime Ministerial candidate.
In that scenario, appointing Samsuri as Opposition Leader would be a logical move to project him onto the national stage, proving that he is not merely a state-level leader but one capable of operating effectively and credibly at the federal level,” he said.
Ilham Centre chief executive officer Hisommudin Bakar said if PAS intends to fill the vacancy for the position of Leader of the Opposition, it would logically be appropriate for the role to be considered for Ahmad Samsuri in his position as the Perikatan chairman.
He said the position provides him with the political legitimacy to lead the Opposition bloc in Parliament.
