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PAS alliance poses existential threat to Umno, warns Ramasamy

A senior opposition figure has cautioned Umno against deepening ties with the Islamic party, citing concerns that PAS could eventually dominate Malay-majority regions and sideline its coalition partner.

LSN Malaysia · 1 October 2026

PAS alliance poses existential threat to Umno, warns Ramasamy

Urimai chief P. Ramasamy has issued a stark warning to Umno about the risks of strengthening its political alliance with PAS, arguing that the Islamic party could use the partnership to expand its influence in Malay heartland constituencies.

Ramasamy contended that PAS has the potential to eventually overtake Umno in key electoral strongholds and marginalise the dominant Barisan Nasional component party through a calculated political strategy. His remarks underscore deepening concerns among observers about the power dynamics within coalitions involving PAS, whose organisational machinery and grassroots support have grown substantially in recent years.

The warning reflects broader anxieties within Malaysian political circles about potential shifts in influence between major parties, particularly in constituencies where Malay and Muslim voters constitute significant portions of the electorate. Political analysts have noted that such concerns centre on whether larger coalition partners adequately protect their electoral interests when collaborating with ideologically-driven parties like PAS.

Ramasamy's comments come amid ongoing discussions about coalition architecture in Malaysian politics and the strategic calculations facing parties as they navigate electoral alliances ahead of future general elections.