PAS’s position could change depending on the interpretation of its president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, creating a potential dilemma and significant risk for UMNO ahead of the 16th General Election, former UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said.
Puad said the uncertainty highlighted the difficulties UMNO could face if it sought to forge political cooperation with PAS, particularly amid conflicting positions within Perikatan Nasional (PN) over the status of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
“Abdul Hadi said Ahmad Samsuri’s statement that Bersatu is still a member of PN is based on what is stipulated in the PN Constitution.
“But according to Abdul Hadi, Bersatu is no longer part of PN based on the actions taken by the party,” he said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
Puad said Abdul Hadi’s position appeared to imply that Bersatu was effectively contesting against its own coalition in the Negeri Sembilan state election.
“In terms of its meaning, Bersatu is fighting its own party (PN) in Negeri Sembilan. Understand it yourself, he said. So does PAS follow the constitution or follow interpretation?” he asked.
Puad was responding to differences between Abdul Hadi and PN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar over Bersatu’s membership status in the coalition.
Abdul Hadi had previously claimed that Bersatu’s membership in PN had automatically lapsed following Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement of plans to establish a new political coalition.
Ahmad Samsuri, however, was reported to have maintained that Bersatu remained a member of PN despite claims that its membership had ended following the announcement on the proposed new coalition.
Puad’s comments came after Abdul Hadi questioned Bersatu’s decision to contest against PN in the Negeri Sembilan state election, further highlighting the differences within the opposition coalition. - August 16, 2026
