PAS seeking power balance in PN through consultative approach, say analysts
PETALING JAYA : The call by a PAS spiritual leader for Perikatan Nasional (PN) to adopt a 'musyawarah' or consultative approach before announcing policies signals the party's demand for an equal voice and rights within the coalition, analysts say.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Hashim Jasin's remarks followed other signals from PAS that Bersatu should not make decisions without consulting its allies.
Azmi said PAS's main demand was the establishment of a PN presidential council to ensure that decisions are made fairly and are not dominated by Bersatu, which holds most of the coalition's key leadership positions.
'PAS simply wants an equal say, especially in decisions related to the distribution of seats for the 16th general election,' Azmi told FMT.
'Given that PAS holds the most parliamentary seats in the coalition, it is now leveraging its position to demand the posts in the coalition leadership which it believes it deserves.'
He added that the call was unlikely to cause major rifts as both PAS and Bersatu need each other for the next election.
Malaysiakini yesterday reported Hashim as claiming that some decisions, such as the naming of PN's prime ministerial candidate, were made unilaterally by PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin.
In November last year, Hashim said that Bersatu could not sideline PAS in deciding on the prime ministerial candidate, reminding it that PAS held more seats and had a stronger grassroots machinery.
His statement was a response to Bersatu vice-president Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who insisted that PN would name Muhyiddin as its prime ministerial candidate for the next general election.
Ariff Aizuddin Azlan of Universiti Teknologi Mara described Hashim's comments as a 'gentle rebuke' to Bersatu, and a reminder not to disregard the spirit of political solidarity that the coalition had built over the years.
He said PAS's call also reflected its demand for respect.
'This is consistent with its large number of seats in the Dewan Rakyat and the fact that PAS governs several states – Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan, and Perlis,' he added.
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