PN deregistration opens door for PAS to strengthen Umno alliance

The deregistration of Perikatan Nasional (PN) has fundamentally altered the political calculus in Malaysia, with religious and community leaders suggesting the move could accelerate PAS's drift towards Umno.

Hashim Jasin, a respected spiritual figure, argued that Bersatu stands to lose the most from the coalition's dissolution. The party had heavily depended on PAS's electoral strength and grassroots machinery to maintain its political relevance, he noted.

With PN no longer serving as a binding institutional framework, PAS now operates with greater strategic flexibility. Observers suggest the Islamic party is well-positioned to pursue deeper cooperation with Umno, potentially reshaping the country's political landscape ahead of upcoming elections.

The development reflects ongoing tensions within Malaysia's fractured opposition movement, where the unity that once characterised the PN alliance faces significant strain. Political analysts are monitoring whether PAS will formalise closer working arrangements with Umno or maintain its current positioning across multiple coalitions.

Bersatu's future political strategy remains uncertain as it navigates a post-PN environment without the institutional support it previously relied upon.