PAS could either leave or be expelled from Perikatan Nasional (PN) following its decision to end political cooperation with Bersatu, according to a political analyst.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Campus Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities director Mazlan Ali said PAS could not unilaterally determine the coalition’s future direction, as PN also comprises Bersatu, Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party.
He said PAS represented only one component within the coalition and suggested that the remaining parties could decide on the coalition’s future course following the latest development.
“PAS represents only one voice. Since PAS has severed ties with Bersatu, there is a possibility that the three component parties in PN could decide to expel PAS, and the coalition is expected to be led by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin,” he told Bernama.
Possibility of two opposition blocs
Mazlan said PAS could go on to establish a new political alignment to contest the next general election, potentially resulting in a more fragmented opposition landscape.
According to him, the opposition could eventually be divided into two separate camps ahead of the 16th General Election.
“We will likely see two different opposition blocs ahead of GE16 – PN, led by Bersatu, and another new alignment, spearheaded by PAS,” he said.
He added that the split between PAS and Bersatu could benefit Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional if Malay support is no longer concentrated within a single opposition coalition.
Bersatu remains committed to PN
On Monday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang announced that the party had decided, after reviewing reports, studies and current assessments of relations between the two parties, to formally end its political cooperation with Bersatu.
Following the announcement, Muhyiddin said Bersatu would remain within PN and continue strengthening the coalition’s core struggle.
Muhyiddin described Bersatu as one of the coalition’s founding parties and reaffirmed its commitment to PN despite the latest developments.
Challenges ahead for both parties
Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia Centre for Policy Research and International Studies researcher Sivamurugan Pandian said both PAS and Bersatu were likely to face political consequences following the decision.
He said the two parties would encounter significant challenges in maintaining and expanding voter support.
According to Sivamurugan, Bersatu could be more heavily affected because it relies substantially on PAS’s grassroots machinery and support network.
“However, PAS will also face challenges in expanding its influence in mixed constituencies, without the support of a strategic partner,” he said.
Sivamurugan added that the split had created uncertainty within the opposition bloc and opened opportunities for other political parties to reassess and strengthen their strategies ahead of GE16.
