Caught between allies, PAS must bide its time, says analyst

PETALING JAYA: A political analyst says that PAS, sandwiched between reluctant allies Umno and PPBM, will continue to adopt a “wait and see” approach rather than taking sides.

But if it is forced to choose, the Islamist party will side with the PPBM, says former University Teknologi Malaysia academic Azmi Hassan. PAS is pragmatic and fully aware that it needs allies for the next general election.

“Their wait-and-see approach has served them well so far and I think the status quo suits them. They will be more inclined to side with PPBM, as seat negotiations will be much easier and clashes for seats will be minimal. “

A Umno leader, chief information officer Shahril Hamdan, also said it was clear that PAS wanted the three parties to stick together. PAS also knew that PPBM needed them more than Umno, who is willing to go it alone.

“So PAS will have much more influence with PPBM because they need a strong political partner, especially if they have to face Umno,” Aziz said. The PPBM’s reliance on the PAS meant that the PAS could have more voice in politics and administration, and would strengthen the party’s credentials among its voter base.

Azmi said he believed PAS would have better chances if it worked with Umno rather than PPBM, but this is not the party’s main consideration. At the same time, he said, there was always room for the reconciliation of the PAS and the BN in case they clashed in the elections.

“But the PAS leaders must know, in their hearts, that they are stronger with Umno,” he said.

Bridget Welsh from the University of Nottingham Malaysia believes that ideally the PAS would not want to choose between Umno and PPBM, but was more likely to favor the latter to put the party in a stronger position through access to federal power. .

He added that if BN chooses not to work with Perikatan Nasional, PPBM would need PAS “more than ever” for its electoral machinery.

“(But) ideally, PAS wants everyone to be together because this is an advantage for them. They realize that unity among the Malaysian political parties is a strength for them. This is part of the reason why there has been considerable push into the bringing it all together narrative. “