PETALING JAYA — Bersatu may be forced to contest the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections under its own banner for the first time in the party's history, as the fallout from PAS's decision to end political cooperation with its Perikatan Nasional (PN) partner deepens.
Political analysts say that with PAS now in effective control of the PN coalition, it would be illogical for the Islamic party to allow Bersatu candidates to stand on the PN ticket in the two critical state polls. "If PAS doesn't give way, Bersatu will have no choice but to contest under its own logo," said analyst Zaharuddin Sani. "Doing so will test whether voters still see Bersatu as a relevant entity, rather than a party that's just riding on the PN brand."
Bersatu has never contested an election under its own banner since its formation in 2016. In the 2018 general election, it contested as a Pakatan Harapan component on a PKR ticket, before switching to the PN logo for the 2022 nationwide polls. The prospect of Bersatu candidates appearing on ballot papers without the familiar PN symbol would mark a watershed moment for the party founded by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
PAS ended its political cooperation with Bersatu on Monday, though both parties technically remain components of the PN coalition. On Thursday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang clarified that PAS cannot unilaterally remove Bersatu from PN, saying any such move must be agreed upon by the majority of component parties.
However, analysts say PAS is currently in control of PN, particularly since letters of appointment for candidates must be signed by the coalition's chairman — a position held by a PAS leader. This gives the Islamic party significant leverage over which candidates can use the PN logo.
The internal PN turmoil was further highlighted by news that PAS deputy president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and Hadi himself attended former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin's "Reset" convention on Friday. Analysts said their presence would fuel speculation that Hamzah's faction of MPs could soon be formally admitted into PN, further alienating the Muhyiddin-led Bersatu mainstream.
Despite the uncertainty, Negeri Sembilan Bersatu chief Hanifah Abu Bakar said on Wednesday that the party intends to contest the August 1 state election under PN's banner. But analyst Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Hanifah's statement only revealed Bersatu's lack of confidence in its own brand and machinery. "PAS, on the other hand, would have no qualms contesting under its iconic moon logo since it is well-known," he noted.
The Johor state election is scheduled for July 11, with nomination day on June 27, while Negeri Sembilan goes to the polls on August 1. Both elections are being closely watched as a bellwether for the strength of the unity government and the opposition's ability to mount a credible challenge amid its internal fractures.
The Bersatu-PAS rift raises significant questions about opposition coordination in the two state polls. If Bersatu is forced to contest under its own logo while PAS uses the PN banner, the opposition vote could be split, potentially benefiting Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan in key constituencies.
For Bersatu, the stakes could not be higher. Having never tested its brand independently at the ballot box, the party faces an existential test of whether it can survive — and remain relevant — outside the shadow of a larger coalition partner.
Sources: Free Malaysia Today
