PAS’ decision to end its political cooperation with Bersatu is not surprising as the party has a long history of breaking ties with its allies, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Pakatan Harapan secretary-general said the latest decision by the PAS central working committee was simply a repetition of a familiar pattern in Malaysian politics.
He said PAS had previously ended collaborations with Semangat 46, Pakatan Harapan, Umno under Muafakat Nasional, and most recently Bersatu, with all partnerships eventually collapsing.
According to him, while PAS often justifies its alliances under the concept of “unity of the ummah”, such cooperation is largely based on the party’s own interpretation of political Islam.
Saifuddin, who is also Home Minister, made the remarks after attending the Citra Negara Programme: Safe School event at the Advanced Technology Training Centre (Adtec) in Batu Pahat.
He questioned the sustainability of PAS’ political partnerships, suggesting that any party aligning with PAS would eventually face a split, describing it as a recurring “political divorce”.
His comments came after PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang confirmed that the party had agreed to sever ties with Bersatu, while exploring new forms of political cooperation ahead of upcoming elections.
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari later clarified that the party would remain within the Perikatan Nasional coalition despite the decision.
Meanwhile, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin expressed disappointment over PAS’ move but confirmed that the party would also continue its position within PN.
