AS PAS convenes its 70th muktamar in Temerloh, Pahang, discussions are expected to focus on the party’s preparation for the 16th General Election (GE16) with potential leadership changes in Perikatan Nasional (PN) also on the horizon.
With around 5,000 leaders and members gathering at the Al-Makmur Complex until Sept 15, PAS’ role within PN may be a significant topic of conversation.
Zaireeni Azmi from Universiti Sains Malaysia is of the view that the ongoing court case involving PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin could prompt calls for new leadership within the coalition. Muhyiddin faces sedition charges related to a recent by-election campaign, which has sparked questions about his ability to continue leading.
Zaireeni pointed out PAS’ strong parliamentary presence, suggesting the party could take the helm of PN.
“Why not?” she remarked when asked if PAS should lead PN, noting that each component of the coalition plays its own role. She also noted that the muktamar is likely to focus on strategies to win over young voters ahead of GE16.
According to National Professors Council fellow Azmi Hassan, PAS is well-positioned to assert its dominance within the opposition by seizing the role of opposition leader. He argued that Bersatu led by Muhyiddin is struggling with internal challenges, and PAS could take advantage of the situation.
PAS needs to strategise how to obtain that position, especially as Bersatu is facing severe internal issues, with its president weakened by legal charges.
Meanwhile, Ariff Aizuddin Azlan from Universiti Teknologi Mara suggested that the muktamar will also address the successes of PAS-led state administrations. He emphasised the importance of former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s role as an adviser particularly in shaping the economic strategies of states under PAS’ governance.
Looking towards GE16, Ariff predicted that PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, affectionately known as “Dr Sam,” could be positioned as a key figure to challenge the popularity of Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
It’s not far-fetched to expect popular figures like Dr Sam will be promoted, as he is seen as a frontrunner and a potential candidate to challenge the popularity of PM.
Dr Sam’s rising profile makes him a potential contender for a leading role in Putrajaya, further strengthening PAS’ position within PN. – Sept 11, 2024
Main photo credit: Kosmo Digital
