Tawfik Yaakub of Universiti Malaya said PAS should exercise caution in how it deals with Samsuri, until recently seen as a potential candidate for prime minister.
He warned that a failure to manage the issue could lead to a repeat of the Islamic party’s 2015 polls which saw the “Erdogan” faction, comprising professionals, leave after clashing with the party’s more conservative “ulama” bloc.
The “Erdogan” faction, led by Mohamad Sabu, went on to form Amanah.
“There are camps within PAS which are trying to subvert a push for Samsuri to be its next president. They are not comfortable with the idea of a more open-minded and professional leader at the helm.
“This could lead to PAS being viewed as run by hardliners and may result in an erosion of support from among those aligned to Samsuri,” he told FMT.
Tawfik was commenting after Samsuri suggested on Wednesday that he may not seek re-election to a post he has held since 2019.
Samsuri had also said that he did not consider himself qualified to take over the party’s top post following speculation that the top two posts were likely to be contested for the first time in 10 years.
Earlier this week, a source told FMT that a contest for the presidency and the deputy presidency of the party was likely if Abdul Hadi Awang, who has helmed the party since 2002, decides to stand down.
There has been talk that PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man would also be stepping aside, although the pro-ulama faction is pushing for him to remain as the party’s number two.
Meanwhile, Hisommudin Bakar, think tank Ilham Centre’s executive director, said Samsuri’s comments suggested he was upset after becoming the target of personal attacks from within the party.
Such attacks on the non-ulama faction could see less professionals join the party in future, he said.
“It does not augur well for PAS in terms of democracy. The domination by one group of the party’s leadership could affect the diversity of ideas, backgrounds and expertise within.”
This could result in voters questioning PAS’s ability to govern at the federal level and may also tarnish its image as an Islamic party, said Hisommudin.
“It would also sway voters (away from the party), especially those who prioritise political integrity and transparency.”