PAS Aims to Expand Parliamentary Influence in Upcoming Election

ALOR SETAR, Kedah: The opposition Islamist party, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), has announced an ambitious target to secure 80 parliamentary seats in the upcoming general election. This announcement was made by the party’s vice-president, Mohd Amar Abdullah, during the launch of its women’s wing assembly on September 13, 2023. The party is aiming to build on its current strength of 43 seats in the national parliament as part of its strategy to regain federal power.

In his remarks, Amar highlighted the party’s previous success, noting that PAS initially aimed for 40 seats in the November 2022 elections but exceeded that goal by winning 43 out of the 222 available seats in the House of Representatives. This achievement positioned PAS as the party with the highest number of seats in Malaysia’s parliament at that time. The next general election is expected to take place by 2028.

Focus on State Control and Upcoming Elections

Amar also addressed the party’s intention to maintain its stronghold over the state legislatures of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis. Additionally, PAS plans to contest seven seats in the upcoming Sabah state election, anticipated to occur by the end of this year. The current term of Sabah’s 73-seat state legislative assembly is set to expire in November, necessitating elections within 60 days of the assembly’s dissolution.

Political analysts have noted that the results of the Sabah state election could significantly influence the political landscape between the federal government in Putrajaya and the Borneo state, amid increasing calls for a greater presence of local parties in governance.

Strategic Shift to Non-Malay Voters

Amar emphasized the necessity for PAS to expand its appeal to non-Malay voters, citing a growing dissatisfaction with the current unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He stated that non-Malay communities have become more vocal about their discontent with the Pakatan Harapan coalition, which includes Anwar’s party and Barisan Nasional.

“This presents a big opportunity for the opposition, including PAS, to take advantage. We must capitalise on this opportunity to win non-Malay support,” Amar said, as reported by Free Malaysia Today.

Historically, PAS was part of the federal government during the Perikatan Nasional coalition from 2020 to 2022, and before that, it was affiliated with the Barisan Nasional coalition from 1974 to 1977.

As PAS prepares for its annual general meeting on September 15-16, 2023, the party has reaffirmed its leadership structure. President Abdul Hadi Awang and deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man continue to lead the party unopposed for the upcoming term from 2025 to 2027. The current vice-presidents, including Amar, also retained their positions without contest. However, elections will occur for the Central Working Committee positions, where 38 candidates have accepted nominations to compete.

As PAS sets its sights on future elections, the party’s strategy will likely play a crucial role in shaping Malaysia’s political landscape in the coming years.