Could PAS form the federal government if Chinese voters abstain?

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PAS Could Form Federal Government if Chinese Voters Abstain

PAS could potentially form the federal government by default in the next general election if Chinese voters abstain from voting or cast invalid ballots. This scenario is reportedly being quietly debated among Chinese voters, with some Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders acknowledging the possibility if the coalition does not receive sufficient voter backing.
Potential Electoral Landscape for PAS

PAS would face a significant challenge in securing federal power solely on its own merits, even with a hypothetical abstention from Chinese voters. The party is expected to struggle in Sabah and Sarawak, which collectively hold 56 parliamentary seats. Furthermore, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) is anticipated to maintain its advantage in 32 predominantly Chinese seats. This leaves PAS realistically competing for 134 seats within the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat.
Required Electoral Success Rate

To form a federal government independently, PAS would need to secure 113 seats. Under the described scenario, this would necessitate an exceptionally high success rate of 84 per cent across the 134 seats it would realistically be contesting. Such a feat is considered unlikely, particularly if Chinese voters turn out in sufficient numbers.
Limited National Appeal of PN Leaders

The broader national appeal of leaders within Perikatan Nasional (PN) remains an unproven factor, especially concerning non-Muslim voters. An attempt to position Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as a leader with wider national reach has yet to demonstrate success with this demographic, rendering him an "unknown factor" in the national electoral calculus.
Impact of Malay-Based Alliances and Voter Turnout

Recent discussions regarding alliances between Malay-based parties, particularly in the lead-up to the Johor polls, underscore the critical importance of Chinese voter turnout. A diminished turnout among Chinese voters in closely contested electoral districts could inadvertently bolster PAS's prospects, even in the absence of widespread national support for the party.

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Could PAS form the federal government if Chinese voters abstain?

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