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PAS president Hadi Awang's assertion that Bersatu has departed from the Perikatan Nasional coalition represents a strategic move to consolidate his party's control and reshape the alliance's internal hierarchy.
PAS president Hadi Awang has rejected claims that his party weakened the Perikatan Nasional coalition, instead attributing deterioration of ties to alleged wrongdoing by Muhyiddin Yassin's Bersatu within the bloc.
PAS has indicated it is prepared to contest several seats directly against its Perikatan Nasional coalition ally Bersatu in the forthcoming Negri Sembilan state election, signalling potential fissures within the opposition alliance.
A former adviser to Muhyiddin Yassin has hit back at PAS leadership, claiming the Islamic party is bullying Bersatu over the coalition's recent fracturing by mischaracterising why the party left.
PAS deputy president Amar Abdullah has indicated the party is prepared to compete against fellow Perikatan Nasional component Bersatu in Negeri Sembilan state polls if the two parties field candidates in the same constituencies.
Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin has condemned PAS for conducting confidential discussions with Barisan Nasional, contending the Islamic party is making autonomous decisions that undermine Perikatan Nasional's collective positioning.
Perikatan Nasional's electoral defeat in Johor has prompted analysts to predict accelerated fragmentation of the opposition coalition, particularly as tensions mount between component parties PAS and Bersatu.
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Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir has ruled out acting as mediator between PAS and Bersatu, though the party remains hopeful that both sides can restore their partnership to strengthen Perikatan Nasional.