PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said PAS will review its ties with Bersatu after several actions by the party were seen as violating the spirit of camaraderie within Perikatan Nasional (PN) [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. He specifically cited Bersatu’s dismissal of PAS-aligned leaders, including Kedah state executive councillors and Kelantan deputy assembly speaker Datuk Mohamed Farid Mohamed Zawawi, without sufficient explanation [1, 3, 4, 5].
PAS also accused Bersatu of blocking plans to admit new Malay-Muslim parties into PN, which PAS aims to expand, and criticized Bersatu assemblymen in Negri Sembilan who withdrew their statutory declarations supporting Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, calling this a move that undermines PN solidarity [1, 4, 5]. Abdul Hadi said, “We cannot accept the reasons for withdrawing the SDs. If Umno, which holds 14 state seats, did not withdraw theirs, why did the two Bersatu assemblymen do otherwise” [1].
The PAS president added that Bersatu had previously demanded a high number of electoral candidacies but lacked adequate grassroots machinery, forcing PAS to cover ground operations on its own [1, 5]. He warned, “We will review and examine Bersatu's actions one by one for further action. If Bersatu's actions could affect PN in the next general election, we will act.” He acknowledged patience but stressed limits, saying, “We are not disappointed with Bersatu, but we are choosing to be patient; however, patience has its limits” [1, 4].
To maintain discipline amid rising tensions, PAS barred members from making public statements on the issue without leadership permission. Secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said, “The freedom is there, but there is a way. If everyone speaks out, it will be chaotic. So, we need to have a vision and let the leadership decide on this matter” and urged members to refrain from comments without authorization [6, 7].
PAS held internal leadership meetings from May 23 to 24 to deliberate on its stance regarding Bersatu and PN coalition matters, culminating in a PAS leadership meeting chaired by Abdul Hadi Awang in Kuala Terengganu on May 24 [8, 6, 9, 10, 11].
In response, Bersatu information chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said the party takes PAS's concerns seriously and pledged to discuss the issues at upcoming political bureau and supreme council meetings. He emphasized a comprehensive examination “in the spirit of camaraderie, mutual understanding and shared responsibility to strengthen Perikatan Nasional's unity” [3, 4, 6, 9, 10].
Meanwhile, Gerakan, a PN component party, has sought a larger role within the coalition, emphasizing unity and multiracial cooperation amid the dispute [12].
PAS first raised formal concerns in a letter to Bersatu on May 9, highlighting the dismissals and cooperation issues [4]. PAS’s leadership meeting today is expected to set the tone for its next steps with Bersatu. Bersatu’s leadership meetings will follow soon to address PAS's grievances.
