Malaysia

PAS pivots to fresh opposition alliances after ditching Bersatu

The Islamist party is aggressively pushing ahead with a revised opposition expansion strategy to unite anti-government forces under a broader coalition

Updated 1 month ago · Published on 16 Jun 2026 9:31AM

PAS pivots to fresh opposition alliances after ditching Bersatu
PAS is said to be using its sudden split with Bersatu to build a more flexible political platform within PN ahead of the next general election - June 16, 2026

PAS has moved to reassure supporters and political allies that plans to expand the opposition bloc through the proposed PN+ platform remain firmly on track, despite the party's recent decision to sever political cooperation with Bersatu.

Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the end of PAS' formal relationship with Bersatu should not be viewed as a setback but rather as an opportunity to widen engagement with other opposition parties seeking a common political platform.

"PN+ is an initiative to establish cooperation with various political parties that wish to work together with PN. When PAS ended its political cooperation with Bersatu, the space to welcome other parties has now become more open within the opposition," he told Berita Harian.

His remarks represent the clearest indication yet that PAS intends to reshape opposition alliances rather than retreat from efforts to build a broader coalition capable of challenging the ruling Pakatan Harapan administration at the next general election.

Tuan Ibrahim said the party's growing cooperation with Parti Wawasan Negara, founded by Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, marked an early example of that expanded approach and demonstrated PAS' willingness to engage beyond its previous political arrangements.

He also revealed that PAS is prepared to revisit applications and cooperation proposals from other opposition groups, including Parti Pejuang Tanah Air and BERJASA, as part of its strategy to consolidate anti-government forces under a more inclusive framework.

"We are opening the door to cooperation with everyone to ensure that the opposition speaks with one voice in facing Pakatan Harapan in the next general election. What is most important is that all parties within the coalition are bound by a common position in elections and campaign operations," he said.

The PAS leader stressed that ideological and strategic alignment would remain a prerequisite for any future cooperation, suggesting that electoral coordination and unified political messaging would take precedence over individual party interests.

Asked when the proposed PN+ alliance might be formally unveiled, Tuan Ibrahim said the timing of any official announcement would be determined when conditions were deemed appropriate.

The comments come amid heightened speculation over the future direction of Malaysia's opposition after PAS announced on June 8 that it had terminated political cooperation with Bersatu, a move that raised questions about the viability of the wider PN+ project.

However, PAS now appears intent on transforming that uncertainty into an opportunity for political realignment, arguing that the departure from Bersatu has created greater flexibility to attract new partners and strengthen opposition unity before voters return to the polls.

Previous reports indicated that PAS had been actively pursuing the formation of PN+, envisaging a broader opposition alliance that would include existing coalition partners as well as new political movements, including those aligned with Hamzah.

The party's influential Majlis Syura Ulama has reportedly delegated authority to the PAS Central Committee to determine the most suitable political coalition or alliances for the party moving forward, leaving the door open for further restructuring of the opposition landscape in the months ahead. - June 16, 2026

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