A PAS leader has cautioned BERSATU against taking a “win the battle but lose the war” approach in the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, warning that internal clashes could ultimately benefit political rivals.
PAS Political Secretary to its president, Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman, said any decision by BERSATU to contest against PAS would resemble a “tribal conflict” that could weaken the broader political bloc and hand advantage to Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Mohd Syahir, who is also Bachok MP, stressed that matters involving the Perikatan Nasional (PN) logo and official endorsement letters must be decided by the PN leadership council and signed by its chairman.
“Voices from the grassroots and the Malay community should not end up in a situation where factions are pitted against each other,” he said.
He added that if clashes occur between allied parties, the ultimate beneficiary would be PH, describing such a scenario as “winning the battle but losing the war”.
Mohd Syahir was responding to BERSATU president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that the party would remain in PN and contest the Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections under the coalition’s logo.
Muhyiddin, who is Pagoh MP, had reportedly said there was no reason for BERSATU to leave PN as it is one of the founding parties of the coalition.
He also stated that BERSATU is prepared to face PAS in the elections if reconciliation efforts fail.
Mohd Syahir further questioned whether any move to contest against PAS was driven by an intention for BERSATU to align closer with PH, a claim previously linked to political speculation.
He said seat negotiations for Johor and Negeri Sembilan should be based on incumbency and winnability, including organisational strength and voter support.
“Measure the strength of the machinery, public support, and candidate acceptance. Even if we are to contest against each other, do not invite it. PAS has been in politics for 75 years,” he said.
