PAS ada angka, tetapi tiada calon PM jelas, kata penganalisis

Analysts note that although PAS holds the largest number of seats in Parliament, their inability to name a clear candidate for Prime Minister indicates ongoing concerns about who can garner public trust to lead the nation, according to Syaza Shukri from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia. Shukri suggests the uncertainty shows PAS has not yet confidently chosen Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, the Chief Minister of Terengganu, as the leading candidate to lead Putrajaya.

She clarifies that the issue is not just about a specific individual, such as Samsuri or Hadi Awang, the PAS president, but rather reflects systemic challenges PAS faces in finding someone capable of leading a diverse Malaysia. Shukri tells FMT, "Not Samsuri as an individual or Hadi Awang as president is the problem, but the systemic challenge PAS faces in finding someone to lead a Malaysia of many peoples."

This concern resurfaced recently following Bersatu spokesman Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz's questioning of why PAS has not yet appointed a Prime Minister candidate despite some names being floated earlier. Faisal himself cited Hadi Awang's nomination of Hamzah Zainudin from Wawasan as the party's preferred choice, while the Youth Wing of PAS has at various times mentioned several other candidates before ultimately selecting Samsuri.

Bendahari PAS Iskandar Abdul Samad recently reiterated that it is still too early and that the party has not discussed the matter internally. PAS currently has 43 parliamentary seats, making it the party with the most seats in the Dewan Rakyat. Shukri notes Samsuri's frequent mention as a compromise figure, but says the party struggles to endorse him due to the need to consider reception within PAS hierarchy, clerical leadership, and their coalition partners.

Even if Samsuri is nominated, PAS must convince potential allies like the Barisan Nasional and Wawasan, especially as their leaders might view themselves as more conservative. "In the short term, I don't see who PAS can confidently endorse to win public trust and their allies," she says.

Global Asia Consulting's Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri adds that PAS's uncertainty might stem from the party's need to manage internal balance ahead of the 2016 general election. He suggests naming a Prime Minister candidate now could create internal tensions among clerical leaders, politicians, and technical experts within PAS.

Such an early endorsement could spark internal competition before the polls begin. Sabri acknowledges PAS's strength lies in its parliamentary seat count, but warns that naming a candidate prematurely could undermine the party's cohesion and the expectations of its potential allies.