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

Bersatu's information chief, Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, has defended the People's Action Party (PAS) for not yet naming a prime minister candidate, despite calls from other parties. Tun Faisal argued that PAS has always been unafraid to name prime minister candidates in the past, when it put forth several names. He was reacting to PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad's refusal to say whether PAS would accept Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as prime minister if Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional form the next government following the 16th general election.

Tun Faisal pointed out that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang previously named Hamzah Zainudin as the party's preferred prime minister candidate. He also mentioned that in August 2025, PAS youth chief openly named five potential prime ministers, including Hadi, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Idris Ahmad, and Hamzah. In September 2025, a different wing of PAS named Tuan Ibrahim as its prime minister candidate, before switching to Samsuri in February after Samsuri became PN chairman.

Tun Faisal suggested that Iskandar should explain why PAS has not named a candidate yet, given that the party does not appear to have a suitable candidate with the necessary experience and ability. He noted that the PAS president has not named a candidate himself, but rather a leader from another party. Iskandar, for his part, said that the question of naming a prime minister candidate was premature and had not been discussed by the party.

He also dismissed former DAP leader Ong Kian Ming's speculation that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would become the next prime minister, calling it mere speculation.