Pas break up with Bersatu: Cooperation under PN umbrella no longer viable

SHAH ALAM - Pas has indicated that its political cooperation with Bersatu under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) framework can no longer continue.

The party cited differences in direction and internal tensions that it says have undermined long-standing unity efforts, even as clarification emerges that the party remains within the coalition for now.

Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari stated that Pas can no longer maintain cooperation with Bersatu under PN’s umbrella following internal disagreements over coalition direction and unity efforts.

In a Facebook post earlier this morning, he stressed that Pas’ decisions are not driven by sentiment or short-term political considerations, but are instead based on strategic objectives.

“Pas does not make decisions based on sentiment or short-term interests. Instead, its decisions are based on an assessment of whether a particular cooperation can achieve a greater objective, namely the unity of the ‘ummah’ and the political stability of the nation.

“It is not a pleasant decision, but rather a bitter pill that must be swallowed for the greater good,” he wrote.

Fadhli further emphasised that Pas’ primary political priority remains the unity of the ‘ummah’, which he said had been undermined by recent developments within the coalition.

He pointed to Bersatu’s stance during a PN Supreme Council meeting, claiming that the party had opposed the inclusion of several other Malay-based parties into the coalition.

“The most important priority for Pas is the unity of the ‘ummah’.

“When Bersatu, during the PN Supreme Council meeting, took a stance opposing the admission of parties such as Berjasa, Pejuang, Iman and Putra, despite the proposal paper already having been prepared, the action clearly undermined the unity agenda that had long been pursued.

“In addition, the chronology of Bersatu’s conduct in Perlis and Negeri Sembilan has affected the morale of Pas machinery to continue working alongside Bersatu in future elections,” he added.

Most significantly, Fadhli mentioned that the political arrangement between Pas and Bersatu under PN had reached a breaking point.

“The position of Pas and Bersatu within PN will be managed in accordance with constitutional provisions and the appropriate channels. Certainly, Pas and Bersatu can no longer remain under the same umbrella following the decision made yesterday,” he said.

Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang - Photo by Bernama

Despite the strong wording from Pas’ information chief, party central committee member Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim clarified that Pas remains a component of PN for the time being.

“Our existing position in PN remains,” he told reporters at Pas headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut.

Shahidan also noted that Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s earlier statement did not specifically address the coalition structure within PN.

Yesterday, Hadi had announced that Pas’ central committee had agreed to end political cooperation with Bersatu after reviewing the alliance’s direction.

However, Pas is expected to form a new political pact ahead of state elections and the 16th General Election (GE16), with a stated focus on “uniting the ummah”.

PN, formed in 2020 by Pas and Bersatu, is currently led by Pas vice-president Datuk Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar. Hadi also indicated that Pas could contest GE16 independently.

The evolving tensions between the two parties have also revived speculation over Pas’ possible political realignment, including renewed cooperation with Umno under the previously established Muafakat Nasional framework.

However, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has previously stated that discussions with Pas did not include any formal agreement to revive the pact.

As it stands, while formal coalition structures remain intact, Pas’ latest statements highlight deepening fractures within PN and signal a potentially significant realignment ahead of upcoming elections.