PETALING JAYA: The breakdown in PAS-Bersatu cooperation raises the possibility of electoral clashes between the two parties in the upcoming Johor and Negri Sembilan polls, warn political analysts.
Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia said the real test is not whether PAS and Bersatu remain in the same coalition, but whether they can avoid contesting against each other.
“The possibility of PAS and Bersatu contesting separately cannot be ruled out. If no new political understanding is reached, both parties may prefer to protect their own interests rather than compromise,” he said, when contacted.
On Monday, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang announced that the party had decided to terminate its political cooperation with Bersatu.
Sivamurugan said Perikatan Nasional is now in a dilemma as both parties remain under the umbrella.
“A political coalition depends not only on a common logo but also on seat negotiations, campaign machinery and a shared narrative.
“Without these, the Perikatan brand risks becoming symbolic rather than functional. I think they will have to refer to the coalition’s constitution to deal with this situation.
“Unless there is a last-minute reconciliation or a restructuring of Perikatan, we may see the two parties contest under their respective party symbols or through a new electoral arrangement.”
In Malaysian politics, a divided opposition often benefits their rivals, said Sivamurugan.
“The PAS-Bersatu split weakens the cohesion of the opposition bloc and creates uncertainty over the future of Perikatan,” he said.
Mujibu Abd Muis, a senior political science lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) said PAS’ decision has increased the likelihood of both parties running separate elections in Johor and Negri Sembilan.
“This shift from internal tension to a structural political rupture is significant. PAS-Bersatu cooperation had been crucial for opposition consolidation under the Perikatan framework.
“Their alliance provided ideological consistency and grassroots machinery for PAS, while Bersatu offered leadership visibility and institutional reach,” he said.
Mujibu said the state polls will be the first test of a PAS-Bersatu future post-breakup.
“A more nuanced possibility is that both parties may no longer cooperate politically at the national level. They may still negotiate limited seat understandings in selected constituencies based on local strengths.
In coalition politics, institutional divorce does not always eliminate tactical cooperation on the ground.
“Whether they fully separate depends on whether the parties prioritise organisational independence or electoral survival.”
Dr Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said it remains to be seen if PAS would leave or be expelled from Perikatan.
He believe that PAS is likely to explore a fresh political realignment centered around sacked Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and lawmakers loyal to him.
“PAS is also said to be courting Umno to revive a Muafakat Nasional 2.0 arrangement, which remains one of its key objectives,” Mazlan said.
The Johor and Negri Sembilan elections will be a key test of new alignments involving PAS, he said.
