PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari publicly suggested PAS may contest future elections without Bersatu due to strained relations between the two parties within Perikatan Nasional (PN) [1, 2, 3]. He criticized Bersatu for organizational weaknesses, saying denial of these problems undermines cooperation. "It is not wrong for a party to have no machinery. In fact, it is even more understandable if it is a new party, but the problem is the failure to acknowledge that weakness and smallness," Fadhli said [1, 2, 3]. He also said, "You can find political friends who are clearer in hearing, clearer in sight and stronger in the sense of smell. Good luck" [3].
Tensions rose after Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali reportedly dismissed claims that Bersatu lacked election machinery, which PAS viewed as denying real issues [1, 2, 3]. Troubles within Bersatu’s ranks in Perlis and Negeri Sembilan have raised doubts about Bersatu's capability and coordination within PN [1, 2, 4, 5].
On June 1, the PAS Syura Council met online under chair Datuk Hashim Jasin to discuss the PAS-Bersatu relationship and broader concerns about ummah unity [6, 7, 4, 5]. PAS declined to discuss the upcoming Johor State Election at this meeting, postponing it to the Central Committee [8]. According to Tan Sri Annuar Musa, "The focus of the discussions is on the unification of the ummah and the importance of unity. The discussions also paid close attention and great concern about the divisions that are occurring, which are detrimental to national politics" [8].
Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh said the council noted Bersatu’s internal conflicts have affected confidence in PN's direction, and "decided to leave the matter to Pas's central working committee to take the appropriate course of action" [4]. The Syura Council referred the decision on cooperation with Bersatu to PAS’s Central Working Committee [4, 5].
A PAS Central Committee meeting is scheduled for June 8 to decide on the party’s future cooperation with Bersatu based on the Syura Council report [7, 8].
Meanwhile, MIC confirmed it respects PN’s revocation of its entry approval based on Bersatu’s leadership and remains aligned with Barisan Nasional for now [9]. MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran said the grassroots mandate for joining PN was given under Bersatu leadership, but no final decision was made [9].
