KUALA LUMPUR – Pas is reportedly reassessing its political relationship and cooperation with Bersatu ahead of the 16th general election (GE16).
Party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said the review could include moving independently if an agreement with Bersatu is not reached.
“We will examine, one by one, what will happen next. Every aspect will be considered, including positive and negative impacts on the current cooperation. We are patient, we are not disappointed, but patience has its limits,” he told Utusan Malaysia Online today.
Abdul Hadi added that the review would scrutinise all aspects of the relationship between the two parties within Perikatan Nasional (PN), drawing on lessons from previous elections.
The relationship between Pas and Bersatu within PN has been described as fragile, with the Islamic party carefully examining disagreements and actions it views as detrimental from its coalition partner.
He criticised Bersatu for rejecting initiatives to strengthen PN by blocking membership from Malay-Islamic parties and moderate non-Islamic parties.
Pas, he said, seeks to broaden participation within the coalition to reinforce the Malay-Islam agenda, but this approach has not been accepted by Bersatu.
“Matters like these will be studied and reviewed one by one to determine the next steps. Elections have gains and losses and involve considerations of our support.
“If it undermines Perikatan Nasional in the election, it means we are not following what should be done,” he said at a press conference at his residence in Rusila on Friday.
Also present were Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, presidential political secretary Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman, and Pas central committee member Dr Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi.
Asked whether Pas might contest the upcoming general election alone if no consensus is reached, Abdul Hadi stressed the party would not go solo, as it remains the chairman of PN. However, he did not rule out possible changes regarding Bersatu’s membership within the coalition ahead of PRU-16.
“That is a possibility that cannot be answered now because it has not happened. Let it happen first. In politics, many possibilities exist. For the future, Bersatu cannot act as it did before,” he explained, as quoted by Sinar Harian.
Addressing claims that Pas had been “played” by Bersatu twice, Abdul Hadi said the party had chosen a patient approach, but warned that patience has limits.
He also highlighted challenges observed during previous state and by-elections, noting that Bersatu fielded many candidates without providing adequate personnel to support them.
“They have candidates, but the number of workers is far too small compared with the purported thousands of members. In the end, when we went down, only Pas members worked on the ground. That is the reality, and we take all these aspects into account,” he said, emphasising that Pas would not yield to Bersatu on this matter.
Abdul Hadi added that Pas had sent a letter to Bersatu on 9 May, and face-to-face discussions have also taken place in PN meetings. Although no deadline has been set for a response, Pas has tasked its Majlis Syura Ulama, election committee, and research division to detail the issues.
When asked whether this latest dispute could affect PN’s performance in the next election, the Marang MP expressed confidence that Pas’s strength remains intact and the party is ready to contest at any time.
“I believe it will not undermine Perikatan Nasional. We are still contesting under the PN banner, and Pas remains within it.
“Pas is the main driver of Perikatan Nasional, and the leadership has the right to determine the direction of the election,” he said. – May 22, 2026