Despite Bersatu nominating its president Muhyiddin Yassin as Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) prime ministerial candidate for the 16th General Election, PAS has said it is in no rush to decide on the matter.
PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad stressed that the party’s priority is ensuring PN wins the polls and forms the federal government.
“PAS is not obsessed with the prime minister’s post. Within the party, we have never discussed putting forward a candidate. Our focus is strengthening the party, ensuring victory, and having the numbers to form the government,” he said, as quoted by Sinar Harian.
The issue of PN’s “poster boy” for GE16 has long been contentious. In November, PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin denied that Muhyiddin had been confirmed as PN’s official candidate, insisting PAS could also lead the coalition.
However, some Bersatu and Gerakan leaders openly support Muhyiddin. Last weekend, Bersatu’s general assembly unanimously endorsed him as PN’s candidate for GE16. In response, PAS and PN election director Sanusi Nor warned Bersatu against being hasty in making key political decisions.
Separately, Idris said PAS was open to cooperating with other parties such as Umno, PKR and Amanah, but firmly ruled out working with DAP.
“Maybe Umno feels uncomfortable with Bersatu because some of its former leaders are now there. They accuse us of disliking Amanah, but that is not true. We have no issue with PKR either, provided they leave DAP. The same applies to Amanah. What matters most is this: what do we want to struggle for?” he said.
In 2023, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had already said the party was willing to work with others but would withdraw if cooperation violated its principles or strategies.
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