With Bersatu split over change of PN leader, where does PAS stand?

With Bersatu split over change of PN leader, where does PAS stand?

PETALING JAYA: Political analysts see a clear divide in Bersatu over whether Muhyiddin Yassin should remain as party president – or even as head of Perikatan Nasional – but differ on PAS support for Hamzah Zainudin to take over.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia says Bersatu’s coalition ally PAS appears non-committal about backing either of them, while Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said it was clear PAS was gunning for Hamzah to take charge, but was wary about antagonising Muhyiddin and his allies.

Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional have appeared ineffective as opposition parties, he said, while a change in leadership now would give Hamzah enough runway to plan for the next general election (GE16).

“In Bersatu, there is that belief that it’s time for a change of leadership, hence the motion from Port Dickson Bersatu for Hamzah to essentially take over the party presidency.

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“I think the grassroots and leadership in PN, especially Bersatu, are restless because they see that PN has been unable to put up a good performance as the opposition, what more form the government after GE16.

“In my opinion, PN needs a new face for GE16 and the most suitable person is Hamzah. PN must have a clear poster boy, then its goals, messaging and campaign will be more organised and streamlined,” he told FMT.

Mazlan said it was likely PAS also believed a change in PN leadership was due, though it has not committed to backing anyone, and had been open to a proposal that the PN chairmanship be rotated among the presidents of the coalition’s four component parties.

“For now, PAS hasn’t taken an official stand between supporting Hamzah or Muhyiddin, but if Muhyiddin does step down and Hamzah takes over, I think PAS will support that,” Mazlan said.

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Muhyiddin has claimed that he has the backing of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to stay on as PN chief, but Mazlan viewed this as Hadi “speaking as a friend” while seeking to preserve harmony in PN.

“To me, it doesn’t mean Hadi will oppose it if another candidate is proposed to replace Muhyiddin. Because Hadi has taken the stand of pushing for reconciliation and harmony in PN.”

Fauzi said PAS was wary about antagonising Muhyiddin and his allies, as evident in a proposal for Hamzah to be made PN’s leader while Muhyiddin is relegated to a senior adviser role.

Fauzi also said Bersatu’s opposing factions realised the need to avoid all-out hostilities between them for fear of fragmenting the party, like PKR after its internal elections in May.

“Division raises doubts as to its capacity to govern the country effectively. For an aspirant to governmental power, the image of a united party is essential to convince voters, especially fence-sitters, even though the reality on the ground might differ somewhat.”

With GE16 an unavoidable inevitability, Fauzi said a smooth transfer of leadership would be crucial to Bersatu and PN’s survival. “It will also act as a safeguard against the concentration of power in one particular individual or faction.”

He also played down Muhyiddin’s claim that he had Hadi’s backing, saying it appeared that it was other leaders surrounding the Bersatu president who were keeping him from stepping down, likely to protect their own interests.

“Even if it were true that Hadi wanted him to stay on as PN chairman, why should Muhyiddin be beholden to another party’s leader?” Fauzi said.