PAS may be playing 5-10-year game to win over voters, says Shahril

Former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan has suggested that the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) may be employing a five to ten-year strategy in its pursuit of top leadership positions in Malaysia. Speaking on the Keluar Sekejap podcast, Shahril noted that PAS and Umno have entered into a cooperative agreement ahead of the Melaka state election, with PAS indicating its openness to contesting under the Barisan Nasional banner.

Shahril observed that Umno appears to be more focused on winning power in the present, while PAS seems willing to wait for a more opportune moment. He contended that PAS may be prepared to enter government without immediately demanding the top position, using the arrangement to provide its leaders with more experience and familiarize civil servants and voters with the party.

According to Shahril, PAS recognizes that some voters still perceive the party as "too extreme," lacking in expertise, and not having enough technocrats to handle senior ministries. Consequently, PAS could spend several terms gradually altering this perception. The former information chief suggested that this transition may take approximately five to ten years.

Shahril also pointed to a shift in public opinion among Malay professionals, who have traditionally viewed Umno as the more moderate Malay party. However, many are now considering PAS as a viable alternative at the ballot box. When questioned about PAS not pushing one of its leaders more prominently as a prime ministerial candidate, Shahril's co-host, Muda deputy president Zaidel Baharuddin, raised the issue of why Wawasan president Hamzah Zainudin had been allowed to maintain such a prominent role, including as opposition leader.