SHAH ALAM – Growing unease among Pas grassroots over the party's strained relationship with Bersatu reflects genuine concerns within the rank and file, but any decision on the future of the alliance remains the prerogative of the party's central leadership, says Selangor Pas Youth chief Sukri Omar.
Responding to calls from several Pas divisions to reassess ties with Bersatu within Perikatan Nasional (PN), Sukri said resolutions passed at the divisional level should not be dismissed as mere emotional reactions.
Instead, he said they represent grassroots concerns over coalition discipline, mutual respect and the direction of the opposition bloc as it prepares for the 16th General Election (GE16).
"Resolutions passed at the divisional level generally reflect grassroots sentiment and concerns. Nevertheless, any final decision regarding coalition matters remains under the authority of Pas central leadership and the party's formal decision-making process," he said.
Tensions within PN intensified following remarks by Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali during a ceramah in Melaka, where he told certain parties not to be "deaf" — a statement widely interpreted as a swipe at Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
The controversy followed Hadi's remarks on May 22 that Bersatu had been demanding seats in by-elections and state elections despite lacking sufficient campaign machinery.
According to Sukri, Azmin's comments may have sparked the latest backlash, but the dissatisfaction runs deeper than any single incident.
"The issue is larger than one statement. It concerns trust, coalition discipline and respect for Pas leadership and the party's position within the opposition bloc," he said.
The growing frustration was most clearly reflected in a motion passed unanimously by Bangi Pas Youth during its annual general meeting, calling on Pas central leadership and the national Pas Youth wing to sever political ties with Bersatu.
In a Facebook post, the division said it strongly condemned Azmin's remarks against the Pas president.
Bersatu, however, has sought to downplay the controversy.
Its information chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said Azmin's remarks were not directed at Pas as a party and were instead aimed at certain individuals, adding that those not involved should not have taken offence.
Despite the increasingly public disagreements, Sukri stopped short of declaring the relationship beyond repair.
He acknowledged, however, that the coalition had reached a critical point and that restoring confidence would require effort from all parties involved.
"Any meaningful recovery requires sincerity, open respect towards Pas leadership, disciplined communication and a willingness to acknowledge political realities within the coalition," he said.
Sukri also urged Pas to continue positioning itself as a mature, stable and solution-oriented opposition force.
As the largest opposition party in Parliament, he said Pas occupies a strategic position in shaping the future direction of the opposition and ensuring political stability within the bloc.
The future of Pas' relationship with Bersatu is expected to feature prominently at a Pas Central Committee meeting, which Hadi has confirmed will be held tonight.
The meeting is expected to provide the clearest indication yet of whether the tensions represent a temporary disagreement within PN or the beginning of a more significant political realignment ahead of GE16.