Tuntutan Tasek Gelugor boleh cetus perebutan kerusi PAS dalam PN

Analysts suggest the PAS demands for Tasek Gelugor to contest the seat may mark the beginning of broader challenges for other seats in the upcoming PRU16, according to Mazlan Ali from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. He explains that such demands typically start at the grassroots level before rising to higher platforms as the pressure intensifies.

Mazlan notes that the movement could expand via muktamar or other party platforms before becoming the basis for discussions on PAS securing the relevant seat. Recently, the PAS branch in Lahar Yooi urged the party to contest the Tasek Gelugor seat, which is currently held by Wawasan Deputy President Wan Saiful Wan Jan. They have even threatened to shut down the consultation room and boycott the PRU16 if the candidate is not from PAS.

Mazlan points out that history shows PAS has contested seats before when it saw an opportunity to win. He cites PAS's relationship with PKR in 2013, when PAS contested areas like Damansara and Sungai Acheh in Penang. He suggests that challenges for other seats should be considered as the distribution of seats in PRU16 could be contentious not only between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional but also within PN itself.

Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri from Global Asia Consulting agrees, stating that the Tasek Gelugor issue opens a larger question about who determines the distribution of seats in PN, whether central leadership or the grassroots. He believes PAS demands, including threats to shut down the consultation room and boycott the PRU16, show that the grassroots sees the seat as a potential win rather than just belonging to the party.

It is a test for PN, according to Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri. Felo Majlis Profesor Negara, Azmi Hassan, points out that the demand should be seen in the context of what former PAS President Hadi Awang has stated - all PAS seats should be defended by the party. He reminds that the same principle should apply to seats currently held by rakyat coalition partners, including Wawasan and Umno.

"It is true that PAS is stronger in Tasek Gelugor compared to Wawasan, which cannot be denied as Wawasan lacks strong grassroots support," he says. "But it should be noted that Wawasan is the flagbearer, even though it originally came from Bersatu. Now it is part of PN," Azmi adds, emphasizing that Wan Saiful's status should be taken into account in the distribution of seats discussion.