Bersatu will strike back after PAS draws first blood in PN, say analysts

PETALING JAYA: Bersatu is unlikely to remain silent after the removal of two leaders from key Perikatan Nasional (PN) posts, a move described by analysts as an early victory for PAS in the coalition’s escalating power struggle.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said relieving Radzi Jidin and Azmin Ali of their duties suggested that PAS had begun using its strategic positions in the coalition to chip away at Bersatu’s influence.

He cited the appointment of PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as PN chairman in February, replacing Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, as evidence of the Islamic party’s growing clout.

“In this first round, PAS has come out on top. I expect these removals to spark some form of retaliation from Bersatu,” he told FMT.

Mazlan said Bersatu might seek support from other component parties such as Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) to counterbalance PAS’s increasing dominance.

However, he said it was unclear to what extent these parties would be willing to side with Bersatu in PN’s internal dispute.

Radzi was replaced by PN treasurer Sanusi Nor, while the Kedah menteri besar’s vacant post went to MIPP deputy president S Subramaniam. No replacement was named for Azmin.

The reshuffle came amid uncertainty over PN’s future following the breakdown of political cooperation between PAS and Bersatu, its two key components.

PAS cut ties with Bersatu last week, saying the party had become power-hungry and was no longer prioritising Malay-Muslim unity.

Bersatu subsequently pledged to go all-out against PAS in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state polls, while insisting that it would contest under the PN banner.

Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said the developments were not the end of the conflict, merely the opening salvo in a much larger political battle.

She said it was premature to regard the changes as an outright victory for either side, although they had, to some extent, affected PN’s image.

“Azmin brings extensive political experience, while Radzi has his own credibility after securing a landslide victory in Putrajaya.

“Their presence helped project PN as a more national coalition and prevented it from being seen as dominated by PAS,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri said the removals sent a clear message that PAS was becoming increasingly dominant in PN, while Bersatu risked being perceived as a junior partner.

“PN is no longer a platform built on consensus, but one increasingly shaped by PAS’s dominance,” he said, adding that the developments could dent morale among Bersatu’s grassroots.

He said the move also raised questions about Bersatu’s standing in PN, particularly if the party proved incapable of mounting an effective response.

“If their key figures can be removed just like that, what is there left for the party?” he asked.