New: Umno Must Be Ready to Hand PM Post to PAS if It Emerges Dominant

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15, 2026: Umno should be prepared to hand over the prime ministership to PAS if the Islamist party succeeds in expanding its influence among elite voters and emerges as the dominant force within the alliance, according to a political analyst.

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang senior political science lecturer Muhammad Ariff Asyrul Adnan said PAS has built a strong grassroots presence and enjoys significant support among Malay voters, making it a major political force.

However, he warned that competition between Umno and PAS could result in critical fragmentation if both parties were to clash directly, given their reliance on a similar voter base.

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“Both parties focus primarily on Malay voters, unlike Pakatan Harapan, which promotes a multiracial approach,” he said.

Muhammad Ariff added that uncertainty over the choice of a prime ministerial candidate within a potential Umno-PAS cooperation could affect the coalition’s credibility ahead of the next general election.

While acknowledging the alliance’s potential strength through identity-based politics, he cautioned that unresolved leadership issues could create political instability and undermine efforts to promote national stability.

At the same time, he said Umno’s strengths should not be underestimated, citing its long governing experience and extensive grassroots network.

He also noted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains Pakatan Harapan’s strongest political asset, adding that no alternative candidate from the opposition bloc currently matches his public image and standing.

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Keywords: Umno, PAS, Muhammad Ariff Asyrul Adnan, prime minister, Pakatan Harapan, Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian politics