PAS risks backlash after sidelining PN allies, warn analysts
PAS’s show of dominance at its annual muktamar could backfire, with analysts warning that the Islamic party risks alienating allies and voters ahead of the 16th general election (GE16).
At the assembly, Penang PAS ulama council member Shafirul Rozani called for the chairmanship of Penang Perikatan Nasional to be taken away from Gerakan president Dominic Lau.
Lau, a PN deputy chairman, was also told by a PAS leader recently to leave a ceramah, after he showed up uninvited.
Setting an ambitious target of winning 80 parliamentary seats, nearly double its current tally of 43, the party also passed a resolution calling for PAS to lead PN into GE16, with the aim of retaining Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis, and expanding its reach in Selangor, Perak and Pahang.
However, analysts said such confidence is misplaced.
