Win GE first, then discuss PM candidate: Tuan Ibrahim

Summary

• PAS intends to focus on strengthening PN’s machinery to face any potential electoral challenges.

• Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man says priority is to secure a win in the 16th general election.

PAS MUKTAMAR | PAS has chosen to bide its time on the issue of naming Perikatan Nasional’s prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming 16th general election.

The opposition party’s deputy president, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, said the party will instead be focusing on strengthening PN’s machinery to face any potential electoral challenges.

“In PN, we will bring to the coalition’s meetings any important decision involving policies. For us, political parties have their respective rights and we respect those rights,” the Kubang Kerian MP said.

“In PAS, we know we have many capable leaders we can put forward (as a prime minister candidate). But, for us, it is better to focus on securing victory for PN,” he told reporters after officiating the PAS Youth assembly at its 66th muktamar in Alor Setar today.

Tuan Ibrahim said this when responding to a question on whether PAS would announce its choice of prime minister candidate at the ongoing assembly.

In response to a separate query on fellow PN component party Bersatu’s announcement of its president Muhyiddin Yassin as its 11th prime minister candidate, Tuan Ibrahim reiterated that the party has the right to make such a decision.

“It is the right of each political party. (But) first, win the election. For me, win first. Strengthen the machinery,” he stressed.

Bersatu’s annual general meeting last weekend approved a motion naming Muhyiddin as its pick for the next prime minister post.

The announcement, however, did not receive a positive response from PAS, with the party’s central election department deputy director Annuar Musa even advising Bersatu to “cleanse” itself first by improving its image and policies, as well as restoring public trust.

No motion to name Hadi as PM candidate

Tuan Ibrahim affirmed today that PAS has not received any motion to name its president, Abdul Hadi Awang, as a prime minister candidate.

“Usually, motions are submitted early for our deliberation. Only then will the motion be brought to the assembly.

“We have our last meeting this Sunday to review all motions. But, based on the information I have, no such motion has been submitted so far. Though if there’s an emergency motion - wallahu a’lam (God knows best),” he added.

Internal tensions within PN, particularly over Bersatu’s dominance in holding key positions in the coalition, have not been well received by the PAS grassroots.

Although smaller in terms of membership and number of MPs, Bersatu holds the top posts - chairperson and secretary-general - within the coalition.

PAS is understood to feel that its significant contributions in terms of votes and seats have not been matched with equivalent influence in the coalition leadership structure.

Delegates are therefore expected to press the PAS leadership to resolve issues of power-sharing and key decision-making processes, which have previously been seen as solely favouring Bersatu.

Following the 15th general election, PAS emerged as the party with the most seats, winning 43 parliamentary seats. Additionally, PAS also governs four states: Perlis, Kedah, Terengganu, and Kelantan.

Reporting by B Nantha Kumar, Hariz Mohd, Firdaus Hanafiah

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