BERSATU information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz has acknowledged that his experience in Perikatan Nasional changed his view of PAS — and of one of Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s long-standing criticisms of the Islamist party.
Tun Faisal, a former Umno member, said he had initially rejected Zahid’s claims that PAS had betrayed Umno, but later came to a different conclusion after witnessing what he described as similar conduct towards Bersatu within PN.
“I admit today that I was wrong and that Datuk Seri Zahid was right about PAS’ attitude and betrayal because I witnessed it myself happening to Bersatu in Perikatan Nasional,” he said.
His remarks represent a marked shift from the position he took while in Umno, when he was among those opposed to Zahid’s approach to PAS and, later, the decision to work with Pakatan Harapan after the 2022 general election.
Tun Faisal said he had also opposed Zahid’s decision to back Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister and form the federal government with PH, fearing that the arrangement would damage Umno and cost it Malay support.
He now admits that assessment was also wrong.
According to Tun Faisal, Umno has remained stronger than it was after the 2018 and 2022 general elections and has continued to retain Malay support despite being part of the government with Anwar and PH.
“Umno has become stronger compared with 2018 and 2022, and still has the support of the Malays after Datuk Seri Anwar became prime minister and formed the government with DAP and PH,” he said.
Tun Faisal said his earlier doubts about Zahid’s claims on PAS were also shaped by the collapse of the Umno-PAS partnership under Muafakat Nasional.
At the time, he said, he viewed the dispute differently and did not accept Zahid’s accusations against PAS.
His experience in PN, however, changed that assessment.
“I did not believe Datuk Seri Zahid’s claims about PAS’ betrayal when PAS betrayed Umno in Muafakat Nasional,” he said.
Tun Faisal is now a senior figure in Bersatu, one of the two main parties in PN alongside PAS.
His comments come as both parties continue to operate within the same opposition coalition, despite the political tensions that have surfaced between them.
For Tun Faisal, the experience has also meant reconsidering his earlier opposition to Zahid’s decision to work with Anwar — a move that initially drew strong resistance from parts of Umno’s grassroots and leadership. – September 13, 2026
