PM-material among PAS leaders, but ‘not time yet’ to name one

PAS deputy secretary-general Syahir Sulaiman revealed that the party possesses leaders who could potentially ascend to the position of Prime Minister if afforded the opportunity. Speaking to FMT, Syahir stated that the party will reveal its candidate for the top government post only when the circumstances are favorable. Syahir, representing the Bachok constituency, highlighted that the party comprises potential candidates, ranging in age from their 40s to 60s, at both the parliamentary and state levels.

These individuals, including members of PAS's central committee, possess the necessary qualifications and abilities to assume the role of Prime Minister.

The deputy secretary-general further explained that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang may already have a specific individual in mind for the Prime Ministerial candidate. However, Syahir emphasized that the party has not named a candidate because the time has not arrived. When the appropriate moment emerges, he assured, a more suitable leader for Malaysia will emerge.

Syahir's comments came in response to an FMT report that questioned PAS's reluctance to appoint a Prime Ministerial candidate. Analyst Syaza Shukri from International Islamic University Malaysia suggested that this lack of naming could be seen as PAS not being confident in putting Terengganu Chief Minister Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar forward as their leading contender. Samsuri, who serves as a PAS vice-president and Perikatan Nasional chairman, also backs up this claim.

Syahir defended PAS's decision-making process, stating that the party chose their Chief Ministers—Samsuri in Terengganu, Sanusi Nor in Kedah, Nassuruddin Daud in Kelantan, and Shukri Ramli in Perlis—based on their qualifications and abilities. He clarified that these appointments were made without any pressure or request from the individuals involved, as they had never sought these positions.