{
  "id": 326222,
  "title": "Hadi puts squeeze on Bersatu to assert PAS dominance, says analyst",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/hadi-puts-squeeze-on-bersatu-to-assert-pas-dominance-says-analyst",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-08T22:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/09/hadi-puts-squeeze-on-bersatu-to-assert-pas-dominance-says-analyst"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "PAS chief Abdul Hadi Awang has claimed that Bersatu can no longer be a part of Perikatan Nasional (PN), signaling a shift in power dynamics ahead of the upcoming election. Analyst Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri explained that this move was not merely a matter of interpretation but rather a clear assertion of PAS' dominance over the coalition. PAS has been gaining strength at the grassroots level and has shown improved electoral performance, according to Zaharuddin. Upon Muhyiddin Yassin's announcement of forming a new political alliance following the Negeri Sembilan state election, Hadi made his claim about Bersatu's status. Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali refuted Hadi's assertion, arguing that there was no clause in PN's constitution for the automatic termination of a party's membership. Instead, finalizing Bersatu's status would require approval from the presidential council. However, the ongoing conflict between PAS and Bersatu could potentially undermine PN's credibility as an alternative government, according to Zaharuddin. Voters might question the coalition's commitment to serving the people if its members cannot cooperate internally.",
  "summary": "The PAS president's claim that Bersatu was no longer in PN is seen as his way of signalling that the power hierarchy in PN is changing.",
  "key_points": [
    "PAS chief Abdul Hadi Awang asserts Bersatu's non-membership in Perikatan Nasional.",
    "Analyst Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri confirms PAS dominance over coalition.",
    "Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali denies Hadi's assertion, citing constitutional clause."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This development signals PAS's growing strength and its bid to assert dominance over Perikatan Nasional, potentially undermining the coalition's credibility as an alternative government and affecting its electoral prospects.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Hadi puts squeeze on Bersatu to assert PAS dominance, says analyst",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/hadi-puts-squeeze-on-bersatu-to-assert-pas-dominance-says-analyst-327930",
        "published": "2026-08-08T22:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Bersatu turns to RoS after Hadi says party automatically out of Perikatan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/bersatu-turns-to-ros-after-hadi-says-party-automatically-out-of",
        "published": "2026-08-09T04:06:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}