AUGUST 6 — Malaysian politics has always been fluid, but few political parties have demonstrated as much adaptability as PAS. 

Over the decades, PAS has entered alliances with parties of vastly different ideological orientations, from UMNO to Semangat 46, DAP, PKR and Bersatu. 

Yet the common criticism levelled against PAS is that it has often emerged from these partnerships stronger while leaving its allies weaker, divided or politically diminished.

Whether this perception is entirely fair is open to debate. Politics is rarely a one-sided affair. Alliances succeed or fail because of the calculations of all partners involved. 

Nevertheless, PAS’s historical trajectory provides enough evidence to explain why many observers approach any new political arrangement involving the party with caution.

Barisan Nasional is fully aware of this history.

Its leaders understand that electoral cooperation with PAS is not without considerable strategic risk. 

Yet they appear prepared to accept those risks because they believe the immediate objective is more pressing: restoring BN’s competitiveness after years of electoral decline.

This is the central paradox confronting UMNO and BN today.

In the short term, cooperation with PAS can reduce three-cornered contests and consolidate portions of the Malay-Muslim vote.  There are close to 123 Malay majority seats in Malaysia.

Electoral numbers does suggest that such arrangements can improve the chances of defeating Pakatan Harapan in closely contested constituencies.

But electoral arithmetic and long-term political strategy are not necessarily the same.

PAS has historically demonstrated remarkable organisational discipline. It possesses one of the country’s deepest grassroots networks, built through religious schools, welfare programmes, community organisations and a loyal membership base. 

Such structures enable PAS not merely to cooperate with allies but also to expand its own influence within any coalition it joins.

History offers several examples.

Its relationship with Semangat 46 in the 1990s eventually ended after the latter dissolved. During the Barisan Alternatif years, ideological differences with DAP became irreconcilable, leading to the coalition’s collapse. 

* Phar Kim Beng is a professor of Asean Studies and a director at the Institute of International and Asean Studies, International Islamic University Malaysia.

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.