PAS is keeping its options open as Perikatan Nasional (PN) faces two state elections that may test whether new Malay-based movements such as Reset can reshape opposition strategy. The party’s leadership will meet next week to determine its approach to the Johor and Negeri Sembilan contests, including whether to explore new political alignments.
PN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said no decisions had been made on forming any new political alignments, stressing that discussions within PAS’s top leadership would take place before the matter is brought to the coalition level.
“So far, there has been no decision to join a new alignment. It is normal during the election process for us to conduct analyses and so on, but no decision has been made regarding any alignment,” he told reporters after launching PAS Kedah’s election machinery at the Kedah PAS Complex in Kota Sarang Semut, Yan.
“PAS’s top leadership will hold discussions next week to determine how we will move forward. We will first discuss the matter among ourselves before convening a meeting with PN,” he added.
The remarks come ahead of a Reset convention in Tanah Merah, Kelantan, which PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang is scheduled to officiate. Reset is led by former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, fuelling speculation over whether the movement could align itself with PN ahead of the upcoming state polls.
Ahmad Samsuri, who is also Terengganu Menteri Besar, said PN had yet to receive any formal application from Reset and that any move to join the coalition would have to follow the established process.
“There have been no official discussions about Reset joining PN. There have only been informal discussions. We have also held discussions with Umno because each side has its own leadership, but no decisions were reached during those meetings,” he said.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding potential alignments, Ahmad Samsuri expressed confidence that PN remained electorally competitive. “The PN brand has gone through various elections, including by-elections and the Sabah state election, so it is already a well-established brand and we do not foresee any problems heading into this election,” he said.
He acknowledged, however, that the upcoming state polls presented a different set of challenges compared with previous contests, as the elections are being held consecutively in different states.
The Johor state election will be held on July 11, with nomination day on June 27 and early voting on July 7. Negeri Sembilan follows on August 1, with nominations on July 18 and early voting on July 28.
The two state elections are expected to test both the ruling coalition and the opposition as parties adjust to new alignments ahead of the next general election.
Sources: Malay Mail, Harian Metro, Election Commission, The Star
