PAS used to name PM hopefuls, so why stop now, says Tun Faisal

Bersatu's information chief, Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, recently stated that the Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) should remain as daring in selecting a prime minister candidate as it was in the past, when it floated several names. The remark came in response to PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad rejecting suggestions that the party should declare whether it would accept Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as prime minister if the Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional form the next government following the 16th general election.

Tun Faisal questioned the sudden reluctance of the 'elephant' party to speak up, likening PAS to a mouse now. He recalled that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had previously declared Hamzah Zainudin as the party's prime minister candidate, a statement further supported by PAS Youth chief's public naming of five potential prime ministers in August 2025. However, Iskandar previously stated that such a decision was premature and had not been discussed within the party.

He also dismissed former DAP leader Ong Kian Ming's prediction that Umno's Zahid Hamidi would become the next prime minister, referring to it as mere speculation. Consequently, Amanah vice-president Mahfuz Omar's request for PAS to consider the issue, based on Ong's prediction, was deemed unnecessary.