Expand PM candidate pool beyond technocrats like Dr Sam, PAS told

Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has been touted as a possible prime ministerial candidate for Perikatan Nasional since his victory in the Kemaman by-election. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Analysts have recommended that PAS cultivates more than one potential candidate for prime minister to boost public confidence, adding however that the Islamic party should not focus exclusively on technocrats.

Nur Ayuni Isa of Universiti Putra Malaysia acknowledged the appeal of PAS deputy president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, given his background in aerospace and his successful tenure as Terengganu menteri besar.

However, she said it was important for PAS to balance technocrats with religious scholars in its pool of candidates.

“Malaysians tend to place greater trust in leaders who represent a diverse mix of professionals rather than solely religious figures,” she told FMT.

“Regardless of the person chosen, PAS must still uphold its ideological principles.”

In an episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast, Bersatu’s women leader Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said she would not rule out the possibility of a prime ministerial candidate from PAS in the next general election (GE16).

She said PAS had evolved, citing the presence of technocrats like Samsuri.

Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin for his part had not discounted fielding Samsuri for the Kemaman seat as a stepping stone to grooming him as a future prime minister candidate.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Mas Ermieyati’s statement recognised not only PAS’ technocrats but also its MPs, which outnumber those of Bersatu.

PAS has 43 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat while Bersatu has 31.

“Bersatu and Mas Ermieyati must accept that PAS boasts not only technocrats but also political strength,” he said.

Lau Zhe Wei of International Islamic University Malaysia meanwhile suggested that PAS and Bersatu resolve the candidate issue before GE16 to prevent conflict.

“I don’t see this as a major issue at the moment,” he added.

“PAS and Bersatu have yet to be seen fighting over who will be the prime minister candidate. So far, any views raised will remain as such.”