PETALING JAYA: PAS’s 70th muktamar is expected to rally its members ahead of the 16th general election, but an analyst has predicted that discussions about the Islamic party leading Perikatan Nasional may also surface.
Zaireeni Azmi of Universiti Sains Malaysia said the court case involving PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, who is accused of sedition during the Nenggiri by-election campaign last month, may fuel calls for him to be replaced.
Acknowledging PAS’s capacity to lead PN due to its majority in Parliament, she believes that any leadership change should be guided by mutual understanding and the best interests of the people.
"Why not?" she told FMT about PAS leading PN, "especially since each component has its own role". She said strategies to attract young voters for GE16 are also likely to be discussed.
The muktamar is expected to bring together about 5,000 leaders and members at the Al-Makmur Complex in Kerdau, Temerloh, Pahang, from today until Sept 15.
National Professors Council fellow Azmi Hassan said the time has come for PAS to seize the position of opposition leader to demonstrate its dominance.
"PAS needs to strategise how to obtain that position, especially as Bersatu is facing severe internal issues, with its president weakened by legal charges,"he said.
Ariff Aizuddin Azlan of Universiti Teknologi Mara said the success of PAS-led state administrations will likely be a key focus of the muktamar.
He also said it would be focused on relations between PAS-led state governments and Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s role as an adviser in strengthening the economic framework of those states.
In terms of GE16 preparations, Ariff said the muktamar might also highlight leaders who could be considered for key positions in Putrajaya, including PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
It’s not far-fetched to expect popular figures like Dr Sam will be promoted, as he is seen as a frontrunner and a potential candidate to challenge the popularity of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,
he said, using a nickname affectionately given to Samsuri.
