PETALING JAYA: Insiders say the road to the 16th general election (GE16) may be steeper for Perikatan Nasional (PN) if the coalition cannot overcome PAS’s poor standing among non-Malay voters.
Bersatu Supreme Council member Dr Afif Bahardin said the challenge is particularly acute in west coast states such as Selangor, where urban and non-Malay voters play a decisive role in shaping electoral outcomes.
“The people want leadership. If this is not clearly offered ahead of the state elections and the general election, PN’s prospects would undoubtedly be affected,” he told theSun.
Afif, who is also Taman Medan assemblyman, said PN’s challenge extends beyond its Malay voter base, highlighting PAS’s image among non-Malays as a key factor that could influence the coalition’s overall public support.
He added that as long as PAS is perceived as unwilling or unable to share power with non-Malays, PN’s appeal in urban constituencies would remain limited.
His remarks came in response to questions on the impact of former PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation on the coalition’s ability to unseat the Madani government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
When asked whether Muhyiddin resigned under pressure from outside Bersatu, Afif avoided a direct answer but pointed to PAS as an alleged source of such pressure.
“You have to ask Afnan Hamimi Azamudden (PAS Youth chief) and Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PAS information chief).”
The comments reflect ongoing tensions within PN as the coalition reassesses its leadership structure and electoral strategy ahead of state elections and GE16, amid concerns that internal dynamics and public perception could weaken its competitiveness against the ruling bloc.
Relations between Bersatu and PAS have long been strained, beginning with their failure to agree on a prime ministerial candidate for the opposition bloc ahead of the next general election.
The situation worsened after political developments in Perlis, where the menteri besar post is now held by Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah from Bersatu, following the withdrawal of support for the previous menteri besar, Mohd Shukri Ramli by several PN assemblymen.
Meanwhile, Bersatu information chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said the party remains reluctant to nominate any PN chairman other than Muhyiddin.
“Bersatu will only nominate Muhyiddin. There has been no change in that decision.
“For now, Bersatu Supreme Council members respect Tan Sri’s decision, but have asked him to reconsider his resignation.”
