Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz has accused PAS of strengthening its control over Perikatan Nasional (PN) following a leadership reshuffle that resulted in Radzi Jidin and Azmin Ali being removed from the coalition’s Supreme Council.
According to Tun Faisal, the changes have altered the balance of power within PN, increasing PAS’s voting strength to eight while reducing Bersatu’s representation to four.
He said Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) could play a decisive role in future decisions, depending on which side they choose to support.
Tun Faisal added that if Gerakan were to align itself with PAS, the party would gain a clear advantage in coalition decision-making, even if MIPP sided with Bersatu.
Claims of growing PAS influence
Describing the developments as part of a broader political strategy, Tun Faisal criticised what he viewed as PAS’s increasing dominance within the coalition.
“This is a harsh political game being played by PAS. Day by day, bit by bit, PAS’s authoritarian attitude and dirty politics are being revealed,” he said in a statement.
He further suggested that the approach being adopted was either “clerical-like” or “Taliban-like”, or alternatively reflected a Machiavellian style of politics in which the end justifies the means.
Concerns over coalition management
Tun Faisal also questioned the timing of an emergency PN Supreme Council meeting, saying it was announced despite what he described as limited engagement on internal disputes, seat negotiations and election preparations.
He alleged that PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar had not convened several important coalition meetings, including those related to electoral coordination and policy discussions.
Allegations of effort to sideline Bersatu
Tun Faisal further claimed that there were individuals within PAS seeking to assume full control of PN while marginalising Bersatu’s role in the coalition.
“It is no longer a secret that there are elements within PAS who aim to take full control of PN and push Bersatu out of the coalition.
“This intention has been hinted at on several occasions by certain leaders,” he said.
