Pas' decision to sever ties with Bersatu is not merely another episode of internal dispute within Perikatan Nasional (PN). Rather, it is seen as part of a larger political strategy.
The move has been linked to efforts to establish a new political alignment alongside the faction led by Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, as well as the possibility of reviving cooperation with Umno.
Such a development was widely anticipated given the close relationship that Pas and Hamzah have maintained over the past several years.
Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said Pas has become increasingly uncomfortable with the leadership of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, which he claimed has been heavily influenced by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
“These two figures are among the reasons Pas can no longer remain under the same PN umbrella with Bersatu. That is why Pas has begun searching for arguments to justify its decision to cut ties,” he told Sinar.
Hisommudin said Pas' real ambition is to transform PN into a new political platform centered around Hamzah's faction.
“They want Pas to become the core of PN while Bersatu is pushed out. After that, Hamzah's group would be brought back into PN.
“A proposal to accept Hamzah as a PN component had previously been raised during coalition meetings but was rejected by Bersatu. That rejection is believed to be one of the factors that further strained relations between the two sides,” he said.
Hisommudin said the next dispute will likely focus on ownership and control of PN.
“I anticipate a battle over who truly owns PN. Once they have parted ways, they cannot continue living in the same house.
“Pas could potentially use its position as PN chairman to secure the support of Gerakan and Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP) in order to remove Bersatu from the coalition,” he said.
Hisommudin suggested that parliamentary and state seats previously allocated to Bersatu could eventually be handed to Hamzah's faction to contest under the PN banner in the next general election.
However, he noted that a major unanswered question remained Hamzah's official status, as his group currently lacked a registered political party that could formally become a component of PN.
Beyond strengthening ties with Hamzah's camp, Hisommudin said Pas might also explore the possibility of reopening cooperation with Umno through a broader agenda of Malay-Muslim unity.
Nevertheless, he said the proposal has yet to gain significant support among Umno's top leadership.
Meanwhile, Professor Dr Kartini Aboo Talib @ Khalid, holder of the Malaysian Studies Chair at the University of Victoria in New Zealand said Pas now has greater freedom to pursue political partnerships that best serve its interests.
“If Pas chooses Hamzah's group, it would not carry the historical baggage associated with Umno and Pas would have the opportunity to become the core party leading the Malay-Muslim narrative.
“At this point, a reset may be the more pragmatic option for Pas. It would free the party from power struggles, allow it to determine its own electoral seats and candidates and potentially position it as a kingmaker after the 16th General Election (GE16),” she said.
Kartini noted that as a party with strong influence in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah, Pas possesses a stable support base that enables it to negotiate with other political players from a position of strength.
“Compared to its political partners, Pas has advantages in terms of party machinery, grassroots networks and a clear political identity.
“That is why Pas may feel it no longer needs to be tied to any particular party. Instead, it can choose whatever form of cooperation offers the greatest advantage ahead of the GE16,” she said.
She added that the move would also allow Pas to reassess its actual strength among Malay voters without relying on the PN brand or Bersatu's electoral influence.