PAS has numbers but no clear PM face, say analysts
3 hours ago
Ameer Fakhri
Analysts say PAS’s hesitation reflects a wider leadership challenge within the party, as naming a candidate too early could also risk internal friction
Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and Wawasan’s Hamzah Zainudin have both been floated by PAS as its prime ministerial candidate. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: PAS may be the single largest party in Parliament, but its reluctance to name a prime ministerial candidate suggests lingering uncertainty over who can command the nation’s confidence, analysts said.
Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said the party’s hesitation signals a lack of confidence in putting forward Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as its number one nominee to lead Putrajaya.
She said the issue was not simply about the personality involved but reflected a wider leadership challenge faced by the Islamic party.
“It is not that there is a problem with Samsuri as an individual or Hadi as president, but rather a systemic challenge within PAS in finding someone capable of leading multiracial Malaysia,” she told FMT.
Syaza Shukri.
The issue resurfaced recently after Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz questioned why PAS has yet to name a prime ministerial candidate, despite having previously floated several nominees.
Tun Faisal said Hadi had instead named Wawasan’s Hamzah Zainudin as the party’s preferred choice, while PAS Youth had at different points named a number of potential candidates before settling on Samsuri.
PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad recently played down the matter, saying it was premature and had not been discussed by the party.
PAS currently holds 43 parliamentary seats, making it the single largest party in the Dewan Rakyat.
Syaza said Samsuri’s name has cropped up frequently because he is seen as a compromise figure.
However, she said PAS has difficulty projecting him as its choice since the party has doubts about how the nomination would sit with the party’s hierarchy, religious leadership and wider coalition partners.
Syaza said that even if Samsuri’s name was put forward, PAS would still face the challenge of persuading potential allies such as BN and Wawasan, whose leaders may see themselves as more senior.
“For the short term, I do not see who PAS can put forward to convince both the public and its other coalition partners,” she said.
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said PAS’s hesitation may also reflect the party’s need to manage its own internal balance before the 16th general election.
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri.
He said naming a prime ministerial candidate now could trigger tensions between PAS’s ulama leadership, its political figures and technocrats.
“Announcing one name too early could open internal contestation before the election starts,” he said.
Zaharuddin said PAS’s silence was therefore understandable despite its parliamentary strength.
He said the party may have the numbers to bargain, but naming a candidate too early could weaken its ability to manage internal expectations,, as well as among potential allies.
For the analysts, PAS’s dilemma lies in the fact that, despite its electoral strength, the party is struggling to identify from its own ranks a leader acceptable to its leadership, allies and the electorate.
Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said the party’s hesitation signals a lack of confidence in putting forward Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as its number one nominee to lead Putrajaya.
She said the issue was not simply about the personality involved but reflected a wider leadership challenge faced by the Islamic party.
“It is not that there is a problem with Samsuri as an individual or Hadi as president, but rather a systemic challenge within PAS in finding someone capable of leading multiracial Malaysia,” she told FMT.
Syaza Shukri.The issue resurfaced recently after Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz questioned why PAS has yet to name a prime ministerial candidate, despite having previously floated several nominees.
Tun Faisal said Hadi had instead named Wawasan’s Hamzah Zainudin as the party’s preferred choice, while PAS Youth had at different points named a number of potential candidates before settling on Samsuri.
PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad recently played down the matter, saying it was premature and had not been discussed by the party.
PAS currently holds 43 parliamentary seats, making it the single largest party in the Dewan Rakyat.
Syaza said Samsuri’s name has cropped up frequently because he is seen as a compromise figure.
However, she said PAS has difficulty projecting him as its choice since the party has doubts about how the nomination would sit with the party’s hierarchy, religious leadership and wider coalition partners.
Syaza said that even if Samsuri’s name was put forward, PAS would still face the challenge of persuading potential allies such as BN and Wawasan, whose leaders may see themselves as more senior.
“For the short term, I do not see who PAS can put forward to convince both the public and its other coalition partners,” she said.
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said PAS’s hesitation may also reflect the party’s need to manage its own internal balance before the 16th general election.
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri.He said naming a prime ministerial candidate now could trigger tensions between PAS’s ulama leadership, its political figures and technocrats.
“Announcing one name too early could open internal contestation before the election starts,” he said.
Zaharuddin said PAS’s silence was therefore understandable despite its parliamentary strength.
He said the party may have the numbers to bargain, but naming a candidate too early could weaken its ability to manage internal expectations,, as well as among potential allies.
For the analysts, PAS’s dilemma lies in the fact that, despite its electoral strength, the party is struggling to identify from its own ranks a leader acceptable to its leadership, allies and the electorate.
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