KUALA LUMPUR – Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau Hoe Chai has called for unity within Perikatan Nasional (PN) as tensions escalate over PAS’ consideration of whether to sever ties with coalition partner Bersatu.
Lau said PN has the strength to face external political rivals but warned that internal divisions could prove costly.
“If we are united, we are strong. But if we are divided, we will fall without our enemies even needing to attack us,” he said on Facebook today.
His remarks come amid growing friction between Bersatu and PAS, with the latter reportedly reviewing its partnership with the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin-led party ahead of the next general election.
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party is considering contesting the next general election without Bersatu, following what he described as a series of disagreements between the two parties.
He pointed to several issues that have strained relations, including developments in Perlis, alleged interference in appointments in Kedah and Kelantan, and Bersatu’s opposition to the inclusion of new Malay-Muslim parties into PN.
Hadi also claimed Bersatu had a relatively weak grassroots machinery in previous elections but had still demanded a significant number of seats, despite much of the groundwork being carried out by PAS.
Bersatu expressed regret over Hadi’s remarks, saying such matters should have been raised internally within the PN Supreme Council.
PAS is expected to hold a meeting this week to decide on its next course of action before the matter is brought to the broader PN leadership. – May 25, 2026