KUALA LUMPUR - Pas should not simply follow Bersatu’s wishes, but instead show the courage to name its vice-president, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, as Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) prime minister candidate, a political analyst said.
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) deputy vice-chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs) Associate Professor Dr Mohd Izani Mohd Zain said Ahmad Samsuri, better known as Dr Sam, currently holds an important mandate as PN chairman to determine the coalition’s direction at a higher level.
He said Pas has significant political strength within PN, and should manage that strength more strategically to strengthen its position within the coalition.
"Pas must be brave enough to make demands, not just follow Bersatu’s wishes,” he said, when commenting on Bersatu president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that Ahmad Samsuri’s appointment as PN chairman does not guarantee that the Terengganu Menteri Besar will be named PN’s prime minister candidate.
Speaking to Bernama, Mohd Izani said that Muhyiddin’s statement could give rise to various interpretations, including the possibility of discomfort among Bersatu leaders if Ahmad Samsuri were nominated as prime minister.
He said from a political management perspective, the statement that the PN chairman is not necessarily the prime minister candidate could trigger speculation that Muhyiddin does not endorse the Kemaman Member of Parliament (MP) for the post, or is still interested in returning to the position.
"In a situation where Bersatu itself is seen as unstable and divided, I think it is inappropriate for Muhyiddin to issue statements that could create polemics within the PN coalition, especially Pas.
Mohd Izani said as a leader who has previously served as prime minister, Muhyiddin should take a more open approach, by giving space to new leadership within PN.
He added that the Pagoh MP should adopt a statesmanlike attitude, by supporting the PN chairman if he is proposed as the prime minister candidate, rather than making statements which could be interpreted as showing that he is still interested in holding the position.
At the same time, Mohd Izani said that Pas must also learn from its experience after the 15th General Election (GE15), when the party emerged as the one with the largest number of seats in PN, but failed to capitalise on that strength in negotiations to form the government.
"During GE15, Pas won the most seats, but it could not negotiate and hold discussions with other parties to form the government. In my view, this is Pas’s weakness - it does not know how to manage the strength it has to move to a higher level,” he said.
He said Ahmad Samsuri’s appointment as PN chairman now presents the best opportunity for PAS to showcase the party’s real strength and capability within the coalition, and to utilise that mandate to determine PN’s direction, including being prepared to occupy the prime minister’s post if the coalition wins in the 16th General Election (GE16).
Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Kuala Lumpur Campus’ Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities director Associate Professor Dr Mazlan Ali believes that Muhyiddin’s statement was merely intended to manage perceptions, polemics and dissatisfaction within Bersatu, following talks within PAS about promoting Ahmad Samsuri as prime minister.
He said by political convention, the position of coalition chairman does carry a moral advantage to be named as a prime minister candidate, as seen with several previous leaders, including Muhyiddin when he headed PN.
"That is why the statement that the PN chairman is not necessarily the prime minister candidate can be seen as an attempt to ease the situation, so that the dynamics within Bersatu and the PN coalition can be managed properly.
"The polemic over who will be prime minister could lead to divisions and an unhealthy situation within PN. Therefore, Muhyiddin’s statement is a tactical move which can be interpreted as an effort to ease tensions among the component parties,” he said.
Meanwhile, political sociology lecturer at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, said that, strategically, Muhyiddin’s statement creates internal space for Bersatu and Pas to manage perceptions, while avoiding a premature leadership contest ahead of the next general election.
"It also provides flexibility if other candidates, including from Pas, have more convincing seat support,” he said. - BERNAMA