PAS perlu umum calon PM sebelum PRU16, bukan tunggu menang

Analysts argue that PAS should announce their candidate for Prime Minister before the 2016 General Election so voters can assess the potential leader's capabilities, rather than waiting until Perikatan Nasional (PN) wins the poll and appoints a PN nominee. Syaza Shukri, from the International Islamic University Malaysia, stated that PAS may only announce a candidate if PN wins and the coalition agrees to give the post of Prime Minister to their representative.

"PAS does not want to be hasty, but voters have the right to know who will lead the country if they vote for that party," she told FMT. Syaza does not expect PAS to announce a candidate themselves in the near future, but a potential candidate could come from the Vision of Malaysia Party (Wawasan) or Umno. However, there is still time for PAS to announce their nominee, she said.

Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting pointed out that federal elections differ from state elections as voters not only choose a party but also want to know who will govern the nation. He suggested that an early announcement could spark internal rivalry within PAS and annoy discussions with other PN members.

However, announcing too late would risk losing an opportunity to build the profile of their candidate as a national leader. "A Prime Minister candidate is not a name on a poster after victory," he said. Syahir previously used examples from Terengganu, Kedah, Kelantan, and Perlis, which were elected as PAS leaders based on their qualifications and ability, not because they demanded the position.

However, Zaharuddin noted that experience as a Chief Minister does not automatically make someone a credible Prime Minister candidate, as national governance requires skills in managing the economy, political discussion, and a united society at a larger scale. He said PAS does not need to announce a candidate immediately, but it should set a reasonable timeline for doing so. The decision ultimately depends on the agreement within PN.