PAS to retain all winnable seats, says party election director

PAS will no longer cede winnable parliamentary and state seats to coalition partners, according to the party's election director Sanusi Nor. The statement marks a notable change in approach for the Islamic party, which has traditionally negotiated seat allocations with political allies ahead of major elections.

Sanusi's declaration came as he addressed concerns within PAS ranks about members investing significant effort in grassroots campaigning, only to see another party ultimately field the candidate in contested seats. "PAS members should not be doing the groundwork for another party," Sanusi said, emphasizing that the arrangement undermined party workers' morale and electoral prospects.

The shift reflects growing assertiveness within PAS as it seeks to strengthen its electoral position and maximize seat gains. The party, which is part of the Perikatan Nasional coalition, has previously negotiated seat-sharing arrangements with coalition partners to avoid three-way contests that could split the opposition vote.

PAS's decision to retain winnable seats could have significant implications for coalition dynamics in Malaysia, particularly as the party continues to expand its influence in federal and state politics. Coalition partners will likely need to renegotiate seat arrangements ahead of future elections.