PN’s Sam: New Chairman Faces Malaysia Opposition Hurdles

The elevation of Ahmad Samsuri to a leadership position within the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition raises questions about the coalition’s strategy to broaden its appeal beyond its traditional voter base. Analysts are assessing whether Samsuri can consolidate authority and expand PN’s electoral reach, particularly among non-Malay and urban voters.

Ahmad Samsuri’s Rise and PN’s Electoral Challenges

PN has historically struggled to gain traction with non-Malay and urban demographics, largely due to its conservative stances on issues such as gender roles, LGBTQ rights, alcohol, gambling, and the implementation of hudud, or Islamic criminal law. The coalition’s ideological positions have fostered skepticism among minority communities.

Post-election analyses from Ilham Center and Merdeka Center indicate that support for PN among Chinese and Indian voters remains low, ranging from single digits to the low teens. In contrast, the coalition enjoys approximately 60 to 70 percent support among Malay-Muslim voters nationwide.

This disparity highlights the need for PN to attract voters from constituencies with significant non-Malay populations to improve its chances of forming the next federal government.

Some analysts believe Ahmad Samsuri’s advancement within the coalition represents a strategic shift. Unlike some PAS leaders known for their strong ethno-religious rhetoric, Samsuri has cultivated a more technocratic and policy-focused image.

He has been assertive on fiscal federalism, advocating for greater petroleum royalty allocations for Terengganu, positioning himself as a champion for the state. “The best choice (for a prime ministerial candidate from PAS) is therefore Dr Samsuri, who is a technocratic figure acceptable to various demographics,” said Yusri Ibrahim, a lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, a Member of Parliament from Machang who was recently removed from Bersatu, described Ahmad Samsuri as a “credible choice” to lead the coalition and expressed confidence in his ability to unify component parties. A group of 19 MPs aligned with Hamzah issued a statement supporting Samsuri’s appointment.

“He’s the vice president of PAS, his stature as chief minister of Terengganu and coming from a technocrat background would help to consolidate Perikatan Nasional in facing voters in the upcoming General Election,” Wan Ahmad Fayhsal told CNA.

However, observers caution that Ahmad Samsuri may lack the national prominence and negotiating power of figures like Muhyiddin and Hamzah. Hamzah, a former home affairs minister, currently serves as the opposition leader in Parliament, though his position is uncertain following his removal from Bersatu.