PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad has asserted that the party possesses capable leaders who can match the ability of Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin in reaching out to non-Malays.
He specifically identified Perikatan Nasional chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as a breath of fresh air for the coalition.
Iskandar noted that while Muhyiddin has his own leadership qualities, the former prime minister represents the old order and has already been granted the opportunity to lead the nation.
The treasurer emphasized that Malaysia requires new leadership, suggesting that Samsuri provides the refreshing change that citizens seek.
He stated that public response to Samsuri’s chairmanship of Perikatan Nasional has been encouraging, as he projects an image that resonates with people from all walks of life and ethnicities.
Response to leadership critiques
These remarks were made in response to a social media post by Urimai president P Ramasamy, who claimed that PAS lacked any leader with the political experience and leadership calibre to match Muhyiddin.
Ramasamy further alleged that Pakatan Harapan was more concerned about Muhyiddin than the national leaders of PAS, arguing that the Bersatu president was generally more acceptable to the non-Malay community.
In addressing Muhyiddin’s future role, Iskandar suggested that if the former prime minister still holds influence, he would be better suited as a statesman leading Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat (IPR) as an NGO, rather than creating a new political platform.
He cautioned against the proliferation of political coalitions, noting that excessive politics could lead to public fatigue. He proposed that if Muhyiddin’s influence remains significant, IPR should function as an NGO dedicated to strengthening Perikatan Nasional.
Collective leadership and technocratic support
PAS central committee member Halimah Ali also commented on the matter, stating that the strength of the party is not reliant on individuals alone. She explained that PAS operates under a model of collective, discussion-based leadership.
This structure is supported by a wide range of technocrats and professionals across various fields. Halimah described PAS as a meticulous political player that is strategic in its moves and planning.
While expressing respect for Muhyiddin as a statesman and welcoming the formation of IPR, she clarified that PAS has its own distinct plans for steering Perikatan Nasional toward leading a multiracial society.
