An analyst expects PAS supremo Abdul Hadi Awang to remain at the helm of his party despite ruling himself out as Perikatan Nasional’s next chairman on grounds of age and health.
PN chairmanship separate from party presidency
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Mazlan Ali said PAS members view the PN chairman’s post and the party presidency as two distinct and unconnected roles.
The PN chairmanship carries specific responsibilities, including coordinating and leading the predominantly Malay-Muslim opposition coalition, which includes Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party.
Health concerns limit Hadi’s role in coalition
“It would be difficult for Hadi, who is physically weak, to meet with PN supporters and lead the campaign machinery if there is an election,” he told FMT.
“But Hadi will also not step down as president because in PAS, the president holds office for life.”
Following Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as PN chairman effective January 1, Abdul Hadi initially said his party would take over the coalition’s leadership.
However, when asked if he would assume the PN chairmanship, the 78-year-old Marang MP cited his advanced age.
Influence remains strong within PAS
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara noted that Hadi’s reasoning has led many to question whether the veteran leader can still effectively head PAS.
Mazlan stressed that Abdul Hadi remains the most influential figure in PAS and maintains firm control of the party.
However, he pointed out that PAS’s decision to nominate a leader other than its president for the PN chairman’s post reveals a “leadership gap” within the party.
“Naming a leader from PAS other than the president will only see it lose respect among its partners,” he said.
Azmi viewed PAS’s approach as an attempt to restructure the coalition to accommodate Abdul Hadi, as the party has yet to settle on a candidate to succeed Muhyiddin.
“But it only shows that PAS does not have leaders who can lead beyond the party,” he said, adding that such a perception was damaging.
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