Tough for PN to find PM candidate on par with Anwar, says PAS man

PAS leader Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has admitted that Perikatan Nasional (PN) is presently struggling to find a prime ministerial candidate who can match the stature of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ahead of the 16th general election. The coalition is required to present a compelling alternative to Anwar, who is the public face of Pakatan Harapan.

Fadhli admitted that identifying such a candidate is a significant challenge. He highlighted Anwar's advantage in image and approach, particularly among the youth. His attendance at the recent Malaysian MotoGP championship, where he was seen mingling with young fans on a grassy field, was seen as an effective public relations move. Fadhli emphasized that this strategy was not only good optics but also had a favorable impact on public perception.

However, Fadhli noted that Anwar's advantage may not necessarily translate into voter support. He stressed that voters would also evaluate the country's economic performance and its direct impact on their lives. The people are keen to know how the government benefits them and what tangible benefits they derive from the policies implemented, he pointed out.

On the other hand, co-host Shahril Hamdan argued that Anwar holds a significant advantage in terms of international relations, communication skills, and leadership image. He asserted that these qualities are hard for leaders from the Barisan Nasional (BN) and PN to match. Shahril also pointed out the positive economic impact and the increase in foreign direct investments recorded under Anwar's administration, which he believed these two coalitions would find difficult to overlook.

Recently, the finance ministry upgraded its 2026 real GDP growth projection to 4.8%-5.3%, a significant increase from the 4%-4.5% forecast in the 2026 budget. In August, the statistics department reported a surge in foreign direct investments (FDI), reaching RM1,114.9 billion by the end of the second quarter of 2026.