KUALA LUMPUR: Unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil believes that Pas is gunning for the opposition leader's role following its victory at the Kemaman by-election.
Fahmi said the unity government is unbothered by claims that Barisan Nasional's heavy defeat in Kemaman was a referendum against Putrajaya.
He said the five Bersatu MPs declaring support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should be just as concerning for Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's party, as it signalled potential discord within the opposition party.
"So I think the ones who should be concerned right now is Bersatu because it's quite clear that Pas may push for or request for the position of opposition leader in the future," he said.
The position is currently held by Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin.
Previously, Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the by-election's result highlighted the continued failure of the federal government to gain the trust and support of the people, even after a year in power.
Kemaman by-election, which saw Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar clinching the seat, confirmed the upward momentum of people's support for Perikatan Nasional, he said.
Samsuri secured 64,998 votes, while Barisan Nasional's General (Rtd) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor bagged 27,778 votes.
Fahmi who is also the Communications and Digital Minister argued that BN's defeat was not surprising since it is a Perikatan Nasional stronghold, though Pas had only won the parliamentary seat for the first time in 2018.
"What about Pelangai then? The unity government won in Pelangai. (So) that's a referendum on who?" he said.
In the by-election for the Pelangai state seat in Pahang on Oct 7, BN emerged victorious as its candidate, Amizar Abu Adam, secured 7,324 votes over PN's Kasim Samat, from Pas, who received 4,375 votes.