Ties with PAS counterpart key in vote for new Bersatu Youth chief, says source

A Bersatu Youth leader says the majority are keen to maintain the party’s collaboration with PAS for the next general election.

(FMT) – The ability to manage ties with PAS Youth is said to be a key consideration for Bersatu delegates when choosing a new leader for its youth wing, according to one of its leaders.

The Bersatu Youth leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the majority are keen to maintain the collaboration with PAS for the next general election (GE16).

This is based on the experience from the outcome of the 15th general election (GE15) as well as the six state elections last year, he added.

In GE15 and the state elections, PAS and Bersatu together secured 74 seats for Perikatan Nasional (PN) with most of these wins in Malay-majority constituencies. They also managed to wrest the Perlis state assembly and retain control over Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

However, the source expressed concerns that the strong relationship between both parties’ youth wings may be strained if Gombak Setia assemblyman Hilman Idham – believed to be aligned with Selangor Bersatu chief Azmin Ali – wins the upcoming party elections.

“Look at the Kuala Kubu Bharu and Mahkota by-elections led by Azmin. Did PAS Youth show up strongly (for the Bersatu candidates)? No… because they aren’t particularly fond of that particular faction.

“Many are worried that PAS Youth might discreetly boycott the PN Youth machinery, especially in seats contested by Bersatu during GE16,” the source told FMT.

Hilman, who has held the Gombak Setia state seat in Selangor for two terms, will be going up against Bersatu Youth’s permanent chairman Akmal Zahin Zainal Zahir for the Bersatu Youth chief position next month.

The current youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal is not defending the post due to age limit and is vying for a seat on the party’s Supreme Council.

Meanwhile, another Bersatu Youth leader who also wished to remain anonymous, stressed that the choice of their wing leader was crucial as it could shape the party’s future direction, including reducing its dependence on PAS.

“While it’s acknowledged that close cooperation with PAS is necessary, given the Islamist party’s long-standing presence and experience, Bersatu also needs strong, capable leaders of its own.

“We can’t always concede to PAS’s demands. However, if we move forward on mutual footing, there won’t be any issues,” said the leader, also hinting that Hilman could successfully play that crucial role.

Yesterday, FMT quoted Wan Fayhsal as saying that his successor must be “clean”, free from scandals and not a liability that could harm the party and lead to its defeat in the next general election.

The Machang MP, who has held the position since 2020, also stressed that his successor must be able to collaborate effectively with PAS Youth, while also being outspoken and courageous enough to take on rivals like Umno’s Dr. Akmal Saleh.