By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 11: Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) future has been thrown into question after Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) formally ended its political cooperation with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), although both parties have stopped short of declaring the opposition coalition defunct.
The development emerged after PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang announced that a special meeting of the party’s Central Working Committee on June 8 had resolved to terminate political cooperation with Bersatu following a review of the partnership’s position and direction. The decision also endorsed an earlier resolution by the PAS Syura Ulama Council on June 2.
In the same statement, PAS said it would explore a new form of political understanding and electoral pact based on the principle of ‘penyatuan ummah’ (Muslim unity) ahead of upcoming State elections and the 16th General Election (GE16).
The move immediately sparked speculation over the fate of PN, whose political strength has largely been built on cooperation between PAS and Bersatu since the coalition’s formation.
However, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin insisted that his party would remain within PN despite PAS’ decision.
Expressing disappointment over the split, Muhyiddin said Bersatu respected PAS’ decision but stressed that the party would continue strengthening PN as one of its founding members.
“As a founding party of PN, Bersatu will remain within the coalition and strengthen its core struggle,” he said in a statement issued on June 9.
Subsequently, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, in a Facebook post yesterday (June 10), sought to ease concerns over a complete breakdown in relations, clarifying that PAS had ended political cooperation with Bersatu but not its overall relationship with the party.
He also indicated that existing State administrations involving PAS and Bersatu would remain unchanged for the time being.
Despite assurances from both sides, political observers have begun questioning whether PN can continue functioning effectively if its two largest component parties are no longer political partners.
According to a report by New Straits Times, several analysts have suggested the split could eventually lead to a struggle over control of the PN coalition itself, while others believe PAS could leave or be pushed out of the coalition if differences deepen further.
The fallout has also raised the possibility of electoral clashes between PAS and Bersatu in future State elections, particularly if no new electoral understanding is reached between the two parties.
Adding to the uncertainty, Malay Mail reported that PN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar today stressed that the coalition did not belong to any single party and noted that PAS was also a founding member of PN.
For now, PN remains intact on paper, with neither PAS nor Bersatu announcing plans to leave the coalition. — DayakDaily
