PAS-Bersatu split: Who gets Perikatan Nasional coalition?

KUALA LUMPUR – Parti Islam SeMalaysia’s (PAS) decision on June 8 to halt cooperation with former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia is expected to trigger a bitter fight over who owns the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition itself – a brand both sides are desperate to control ahead of a general election due by early 2028

The Islamist party’s president Hadi Awang said in a late night statement that “we have decided to terminate all political cooperation with Bersatu and review the position and future direction of PAS-Bersatu political cooperation”.

“We will explore a form of political understanding and electoral cooperation (electoral pact) for the sake of Muslim unity, in preparation for the state elections and the 16th General Election, and to welcome the intention of academics, professionals, political leaders, and community activists to join PAS,” he said.

This decision is now set to reshape Malaysia’s main opposition alliance – with former home minister Hamzah Zainudin and other Bersatu rebels set to unveil their new party on June 13.

This rupture follows a protracted dispute within PN that came to a head at its leadership meeting on May 16. The meeting decided that only electoral cooperation and strategic partnerships could be pursued ahead of a general election without adding new parties to the coalition.

This led PAS, including president Hadi, to hurl accusations that Bersatu has not been a team player. It cited Bersatu having withdrawn support for PAS’ chief minister in Perlis and subsequently taking control of the northern state in December 2025.

But of greater importance was Bersatu’s insistence that no new parties be added to the PN fold, even as PAS has consistently been sympathetic to Hamzah’s camp since his sacking as Bersatu deputy president in February.

Official PN sources told The Straits Times that PAS had written to Bersatu on June 6, insisting that it back down on its position not to expand PN’s membership. Muhyiddin had referred to this letter “concerning Bersatu and PAS relations and suggestions to strengthen PN” in a June 7 statement and added that it would be raised at his party’s next leadership meeting.

But this was clearly not soon enough for PAS.

Analysts noted that while PAS is already Malaysia’s largest party, its image as hardline Islamists means it needs a more moderate Malay partner, without being beholden to it. 

Having wrested the PN chairmanship from Muhyiddin, PAS now views Hamzah as more attuned to its long-term goal to lead a broad Malay-led alliance into power.

PAS vice-president Samsuri Mokhtar, who is Terengganu chief minister, became PN chief in February and is the party’s first leader to be widely considered a potential prime minister. However, Muhyiddin and now Hamzah would be more acceptable to non-Muslim minorities as well as east Malaysians who eschew PAS’ brand of Islamism.

PAS information chief Fadhli Shaari claimed on June 9 that Bersatu had opposed the entry of four smaller Malay parties and also undermined their working relationship in several states. 

“What is certain is that PAS and Bersatu cannot continue under the same umbrella after yesterday’s decision,” he said, adding that ending their cooperation was “a bitter pill that must be swallowed for the greater good”.

Muhyiddin responded to PAS’ decision by calling on “party members and comrades in arms to focus on strengthening PN”.

“The question now is how will Bersatu contest the elections – (whether to) compromise and contest under PN with PAS and Hamzah, or go without PAS whether or not it is using the PN or any other banner,” advisory firm Viewfinder Global Affairs’ managing director Adib Zalkapli told ST.

Of Bersatu’s MPs, 18 have backed Hamzah – leaving Muhyiddin with just six loyalists – after an internal tussle going back several years led to a months-long purge beginning at the end of 2025.

“I expect that in Hamzah’s address, he will announce the entry into a political party,” former Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan told ST, referring to the June 13 convention to be held in the PAS-controlled state of Kelantan.

From then on, a no-holds-barred battle for control of PN is expected to ensue. Both PAS and Bersatu have insisted they remain in the coalition that also counts minor outfits Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party as components.

But PAS appears to have the upper hand as it now chairs the pact and holds most of its important offices, such as secretary-general.

The PN branding is sought after by both parties: Its debut in 2022 saw PAS and Bersatu more than double their presence in Parliament compared with 2018, when they contested under different logos. PAS went from 18 to 43 seats, while Bersatu jumped from 13 to 31, as the coalition won 74 of the 222 seats.

This is despite some PAS and UMNO leaders talking up a revival of the so-called Muafakat Nasional (MN) to unite the Malay Muslim majority. However, party insiders admit that dividing up overlapping claims to traditional constituencies is virtually impossible.

Instead, the MN calls have been used to stir up right-wing Malay Muslim nationalist sentiment. UMNO is using it to back its push to break from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan, while PAS has used it as cover to cut ties with Bersatu.

Whoever controls PN, if Bersatu and “Team Hamzah” cannot coexist, a new entity is likely at the next general election – adding to an already crowded field that, in 2022, produced Malaysia’s first hung Parliament, raising the prospect of prolonged political deadlock once again.