Samsuri backs multiracial push as PAS seeks bigger national role

Newly appointed Perikatan Nasional chairperson Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has assured that PAS has established clear strategies on engaging with the nation’s multiracial society as part of the party’s plans to play a more “prominent role” in nation building.

Samsuri, who is also a PAS vice-president, noted that while the Islamist party could do with some reflection on how it works with and approaches different segments of society, such measures are a necessary part of “coming out in the open” to demonstrate its abilities.

“You cannot just compete at the village level - come out whether at the state, federal, or international level,” he said as the first opposition representative to be hosted on PKR MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s “Lebih Masa” podcast.

“When facing reality, it is not that we go in without strategies or a clear framework - of course, we have plans and strategies on how to engage with the very complex multiracial society that exists today, including in Sabah and Sarawak.”

PAS has traditionally drawn its strongest support from Malay-Muslim voters, with non-Muslims perceived as being wary of the party’s identity as an Islamist party.

While the party has made outreach efforts in the past, including forming a non-Muslim supporters’ wing and fielding non-Muslim candidates in elections, concerns have periodically resurfaced over issues such as regulations in PAS-led states.

Pointing to how PAS had secured 43 parliamentary seats - the most in the party's over seven-decade history in politics - during the 2022 general election, Samsuri said the win had bolstered the PN component members’ belief that it should play a key role in shaping the nation.

However, he acknowledged that there are weaknesses within PN that require improvements to become an effective opposition that is "beneficial and with substance”.

While the Terengganu menteri besar did not specify the weaknesses supposedly plaguing PN, he highlighted that the “pressure” placed on opposition MPs is “not small”.

“There is pressure experienced personally, at the party level, and also online via social media platforms - they are called all sorts of names. This is the kind of intimidation that causes pain to MPs, and I think this is something that should not happen,” he added.

He stressed that the matter is among the issues he aims to refine within PN to better their role as the opposition and a “good alternative to the government in the future.”

‘Phase’ required

When questioned by Nik Nazmi on whether he believes Malaysian politics is facing an issue where it has become a “winner-takes-all or a zero-sum game”, Samsuri expressed his agreement.

“People are sometimes afraid to relinquish the number one position, because when they hold the number one position, they control all the instruments of government, and when they relinquish it later, they may become victims of arrest and so on,” he said.

He went on to argue that for now and going forward, the local political scene requires a “phase” where power is not overly concentrated in just one individual figure.

“I think our country now needs such a phase – more checks and balances, more openness, and not feeling intimidated by criticisms.

“If we as leaders feel intimidated by criticisms, I think we are moving backwards, not forwards,” he added.

The PN supreme council appointed Samsuri as the opposition coalition’s new chairperson on Feb 22, following Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin’s move to vacate the post effective Jan 1.

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