The breakdown in cooperation between PAS and Bersatu raises the prospect of three-cornered fights in the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, political analysts have said, as both former coalition partners navigate uncharted electoral terrain.
Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia was quoted by The Star as saying the real test for the two former partners is not whether they remain under the same Perikatan Nasional umbrella, but whether they can avoid contesting against each other when nomination day arrives.
"The possibility of PAS and Bersatu contesting separately cannot be ruled out. If no new political understanding is reached, both parties may prefer to protect their own interests rather than compromise," Sivamurugan said.
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang announced Monday that the party's central working committee had decided to terminate political cooperation with Bersatu, shaking the foundation of Perikatan Nasional barely weeks before two crucial state elections.
Sivamurugan said Perikatan Nasional is now in a dilemma, as both parties technically remain under the coalition's banner. "A political coalition depends not only on a common logo but also on seat negotiations, campaign machinery and a shared narrative. Without these, the Perikatan brand risks becoming symbolic rather than functional."
He added that the coalition would likely have to refer to its own constitution to navigate the unprecedented situation, and that without a last-minute reconciliation, both parties could contest under their respective party symbols.
Mujibu Abd Muis, a senior political science lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara, said PAS's decision has increased the likelihood of both parties running separate campaigns in both states.
Sivamurugan noted that in Malaysian politics, a divided opposition often benefits their rivals, and that the PAS-Bersatu split weakens the cohesion of the opposition bloc and creates uncertainty over the future of Perikatan.
Both Johor and Negeri Sembilan prepare for state elections following the dissolution of their assemblies on 8 June. The Election Commission is expected to meet on 12 June to set nomination and polling dates for Negeri Sembilan, with Johor dates likely to follow shortly after.
The prospect of PAS and Bersatu facing each other in the same constituencies would mark a dramatic turning point for Perikatan Nasional, which swept to power in the 2020 Sheraton Move and governed Malaysia until the 2022 general election.
Sources: The Star
