KUALA LUMPUR – PAS has reaffirmed its stance that the selection of a Prime Minister candidate for Perikatan Nasional (PN) should not be a priority at this time. The party emphasized that its current focus remains on addressing urgent national issues and the rising cost of living.
PAS Deputy President, Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, stated that discussing leadership roles for the 16th General Election (GE16) is premature, given that the election date has not yet been determined. He stressed that the coalition’s energy is better spent on strengthening the partnership between component parties and responding to the immediate needs of the people.
“What is important now is focusing on domestic issues and the cost of living. Our priority is also on consolidating Perikatan Nasional together with our partners,” Tuan Ibrahim said, as reported by Sinar Harian. He also pointed out that international concerns, such as the conflict in the Middle East, currently carry more weight than internal leadership debates.
The statement follows recent remarks by Bersatu President, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who clarified that the appointment of PAS Vice-President, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, as PN Chairman does not automatically guarantee him the Prime Minister candidacy. Muhyiddin noted that while the Terengganu Menteri Besar leads the coalition, the choice of a PM candidate remains a separate matter that has yet to be formally deliberated.
Despite the party’s official hesitation to name a candidate, PAS Treasurer-General Datuk Iskandar Abdul Samad acknowledged the positive impact of Dr. Ahmad Samsuri’s leadership. He described the new PN Chairman as a moderate technocrat who appeals to a broad spectrum of the Malaysian electorate.
While Iskandar believes Dr. Ahmad Samsuri possesses the ideal qualities for the nation’s top office, he reminded that the final appointment of a Prime Minister remains the constitutional prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
For now, PAS remains committed to a “people-first” approach, choosing to sideline political maneuvering in favor of addressing the economic and social stability of the country.
