“Don’t over-rejoice cracks in PAS-Bersatu as sign of weakness; lone PAS shall emerge even more powerful”

“Don’t over-rejoice cracks in PAS-Bersatu as sign of weakness; lone PAS shall emerge even more powerful”

By Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker
5 hours ago





MANY are celebrating signs that Perikatan Nasional (PN) is fracturing; that Bersatu may no longer stand firmly with PAS. To them, it feels like a weakening of the opposition and a lesser threat from PAS.


But there is another side that deserves calm, strategic thought. The real threat is when PAS comes into power on their own!


PAS without coalition partners is not automatically weaker. Being in a coalition forces compromise, moderation and accountability. It requires PAS to balance ideology with economic realities, constitutional limits and a plural society.

A fundamentalist PAS without compromises will be a bigger threat to our multi-racial society then a PAS forced to work together with others.

A PAS that no longer depends on partners has fewer reasons to explain, persuade or restrain itself.




It will be free to posture; buy-in and appeal to radicals without consideration for others and if the ground swelled?

The real danger is not PAS entering power when it is still dependent, when it must negotiate, compromise and co-exist.

The real danger is PAS entering power when it is strong enough to stand alone, answerable only to its own base and “acting” like a purist and theocratic without having to be real.

‘More ferocious than DAP’

History teaches us that power tested early will be shaped by restraint whereas power if gained after dominance is shaped by extremes and forced enforcements.

Which will be a bigger “evil”? Absolute power or compromised power? Politics is not just about who governs. The question is when they do and under what constraints/restraints?

The core issue is while DAP rides on the idealism of “socialism”, PAS rides on religious politics.



DAP does not dare to fully pursue its promises and instead acts pragmatically because its support base comes largely from minority groups.

The question is whether PAS – if it comes to power in the future – will act according to the “emotions” of the majority, especially if that majority is “absolutely” legitimised in the name of religion.

This question must be examined through the lens of behavioural science and political strategy – not through religious discourse.

My point is that it may actually be better for PAS to come to power now while it is still pragmatic and constrained by the country’s plural composition rather than later – when it may defect to or be driven solely by the votes of the national majority. – Jan 2, 2026



A lawyer by training, Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker was a former MCA vice-president and former Youth and Sports deputy minister.