Rather than focus solely on political cooperation to win the 16th general election, PAS must set out a clear roadmap for governing Malaysia if it takes Putrajaya, analysts say.
They said that while attention at the Islamic party’s 72nd muktamar will likely centre on its ties with Umno, there is a more important question at hand — what form of administration and policies does it have for the people?
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said voters would want to know PAS’s stance on the economy and education, along with its plans to boost productivity, create quality jobs, harness technology and artificial intelligence, and tackle regional poverty.
He said that without such clarity, political unity with Umno would only be a “bridge to Putrajaya” rather than a genuine governing plan.
“The muktamar shouldn’t just be about who our friends are, but what kind of Malaysia we want to build,” he told FMT.
Muktamar and PAS-Umno ties
The muktamar, held in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, began yesterday and will continue until Sept 5.
It comes at a time when PAS and Umno appear to be strengthening their ties after the recent Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections.
Motions on Malay unity and political cooperation between the two parties are likely to be tabled for discussion.
Umno leaders have been invited to attend, while PAS’s top leaders have in turn been invited to Umno’s general assembly from Sept 9 to 12.
However, Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia does not expect a final decision on the form of cooperation between the two parties to be reached at the muktamar.
“Seat distribution and an election formula would require further negotiations,” he said.
PAS-led states as measure of capabilities
The performance of the SG4 states — Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis — is also expected to draw scrutiny, as they could serve as a benchmark for PAS’s ability to offer an alternative model of federal governance.
However, the situation has been complicated by the political breakdown between PAS and Bersatu in Perlis, which is no longer under a PAS-led administration.
Zaharuddin said Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah, the three states still led by PAS, could no longer be seen simply as states that needed to be defended, but must instead serve as a demonstration of PAS’s governing capabilities.
“The performance of those states must be judged on indicators such as investment, job quality, income levels, productivity, education, infrastructure and public service,” he said.
Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Afifi Abdul Razak said the economic performance of the PAS-led states has been mixed.
He said gross domestic product in these states remains below the national average, although there has been progress in reducing hardcore poverty since 2022.
“It is expected that state leaders would push a narrative of progress made despite federal pressure,” he said.
Sivamurugan said PAS needs to be more aggressive in putting forward professionals and technocrats to broaden its support base, particularly among the middle class and urban voters.
He said bringing in professionals signals that PAS wants to be seen as capable of leading the federal administration, but the party must ensure they are given genuine input into policymaking rather than being used as symbols of openness.
Among PAS leaders with professional or technocrat backgrounds are vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who also chairs Perikatan Nasional; secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan; treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad; and committee member Haim Hilman Abdullah.
