PAS may be the single largest party in Parliament, but its reluctance to name a prime ministerial candidate points to uncertainty over who can command the confidence of the nation, analysts say.
Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said the party’s hesitation suggested a lack of confidence in putting forward Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as its preferred candidate to lead Putrajaya.
She said the issue was not simply about the individual involved, but reflected a wider leadership challenge within PAS.
‘It is not that there is a problem with Samsuri as an individual or Hadi as president, but rather a systemic challenge within PAS in finding someone capable of leading multiracial Malaysia,’ she told FMT.
The issue resurfaced after Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz questioned why PAS had yet to name a prime ministerial candidate despite having previously floated several names.
Tun Faisal said PAS president Hadi Awang had instead named Wawasan’s Hamzah Zainudin as the party’s preferred choice, while PAS Youth had at different points named several potential candidates before settling on Samsuri.
PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad recently played down the issue, saying it was premature and had not been discussed by the party.
PAS currently holds 43 parliamentary seats, making it the single largest party in the Dewan Rakyat.
Samsuri seen as compromise figure
Syaza said Samsuri’s name had surfaced frequently because he was seen as a compromise figure.
However, she said PAS appeared to have difficulty projecting him as its choice because of doubts over how his nomination would sit with the party hierarchy, religious leadership and wider coalition partners.
She said that even if Samsuri were put forward, PAS would still face the challenge of persuading potential allies such as BN and Wawasan, whose leaders might regard themselves as more senior.
‘For the short term, I do not see who PAS can put forward to convince both the public and its other coalition partners,’ she said.
Naming candidate too early could trigger tensions
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said PAS’ hesitation could also reflect the party’s need to manage its internal balance ahead of the 16th general election.
He said naming a prime ministerial candidate now could trigger tensions among PAS’ ulama leadership, political figures and technocrats.
‘Announcing one name too early could open internal contestation before the election starts,’ he said.
Zaharuddin said PAS’ silence was therefore understandable despite its parliamentary strength.
He said the party might have the numbers to bargain, but naming a candidate too early could weaken its ability to manage internal expectations as well as those of potential allies.
For the analysts, PAS’ dilemma lies in the fact that despite its electoral strength, the party is struggling to identify a leader from within its ranks who would be acceptable to its leadership, allies and the electorate.
