KUALA LUMPUR: Political analysts believe Pas has finally found a prime ministerial candidate in the form of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who successfully won by a bigger margin against the unity government candidate in the Kemaman by-election on Saturday.
The experts said, previously, figures from Barisan Nasional (BN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) were tipped to lead the country, with Pas playing more of a supporting role.
However, Samsuri, fondly known by Terengganu folk as Dr Sam, could turn out to be a genuine prime minister candidate if and when the Islamist party secured enough support in Parliament.
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin Faculty of Law and International Relations senior lecturer Dr Wan Rohila Ganti Wan Abdul Ghapar told the New Straits Times that the PH-BN unity government coalition should be worried about the inclusion of Samsuri into the parliament.
"Pas now has a prime minister-material leader. He can be considered their prime minister-in-waiting, especially with him not only being a technocrat, but also with a Malay-Muslim identity.
"This would be the natural choice of the Malay voters either urban or rural.
"If prompt actions are not taken, Malaysia could be ruled by Pas in the next general election."
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia's Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics political analyst Dr Mazlan Ali also agrees on the capabilities and knowledge of Samsuri as the party's next leader.
He said that such a narrative was indeed played by Pas grassroot supporters in the Kemaman by-election, which got the constituents excited and voted in favour of providing a platform to take his political career to the next stage.
He also said the opportunity of a Terengganu man being the main government figure also triggered more support.
Though the natural path for this to happen would mean he should be the new opposition leader in Parliament for PN, Mazlan said it would be too much for Samsuri to manage at the same time, since he is also the current Terengganu menteri besar.
"Pas is the largest party (of members of Parliament) in PN and now they have a new leader with them.
"He can be called as their poster boy for prime minister from now on, and he should be given the chance to become the opposition leader.
"The obvious obstacle would be his current menteri besar post."
Earlier yesterday, the unity government braced for possible change in the opposition leader with Samsuri's victory.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he could be "crowned" as the opposition leader after taking the oath.
Samsuri also expressed a willingness to consider the prospect of becoming Malaysia's prime minister in the future.
The Ru Rendang assemblyman said he would contemplate the matter if entrusted by his party and the electorate.