Usul ‘wajib’ PAS mungkin beri tekanan kepada Umno, kata penganalisis

PAS President Takiyuddin Hassan stated that political cooperation between PAS and Umno is expected to be among the 'usul wajib' (mandatory duty) discussed at the PAS Muktamar 72. According to analyst Tawfik Yaakub, the endorsement of this cooperation, if approved, would only bind PAS that wishes to become serious about cooperating with Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) through their mandate representation.

The academic from Universiti Malaya explained that PAS does not want to rely solely on statements from certain leaders, but rather to institutionalize the establishment of such cooperation through the approval of representatives. The PAS sitting schedule (from 4th to 5th September) before the Umno General Assembly (11th-12th September) gives PAS the opportunity to set the narrative on cooperation between the two parties first.

If the Muktamar gives strong support to this cooperation, focus will automatically shift to Umno, he told FMT. However, Tawfik said Umno does not necessarily have to lead or approve similar claims at PAU because their political situation is different. He referred to the BN/Umno position and commitment in the cohesive government, in addition to the need to consider relations with Pakatan Harapan (PH).

PAS Chief Justeru thus said that political cooperation between PAS and Umno is expected to be among the 'usul wajib' discussed at the PAS Muktamar 72. PAS and Umno have previously cooperated through the National Accord (MN) after the 14th General Election (GE14), but it ceased without any further development after the formation of Perikatan Nasional (PN) which included PAS and Umno, Bersatu before the 15th General Election (GE15).

However, BN-PN without Bersatu has created understanding in the Selangor State election, 1st August last year, which witnessed the victory of the state and the possibility of cooperation during the 16th General Election. Analyst Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) also said that the status of the usul wajib indicates PAS' seriousness in opening up room for cooperation, but it cannot be equated with the decision to form a political alliance.

According to him, the authority of the Muktamar only gives PAS the power to discuss, while the actual implementation still depends on the approval of Umno. He said that the real possibility is that both parties can achieve cooperation for specific electoral choices without forming a formal political alliance. "The true measure is not the decision of the two Muktamaras, but rather whether PAS and Umno can split seats after that. In addition, coordinating candidates and avoiding competition with each other."