Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri said as Samsuri was only a PAS vice-president, he would be relying on more influential figures in his own party when it came to making major decisions.
Such a scenario would create the perception that the PN chairmanship was merely symbolic and that others were pulling the strings, he said.
“He would be seen as a caretaker, rather than someone with real authority,” the senior consultant at Global Asia Consulting, told FMT.
Zaharuddin said PAS’s dominance in PN meant that Samsuri would be under pressure to prove he was not a puppet for the Islamic party.
“If he fails to be firm, he won’t be able to inspire confidence among coalition partners — and fence-sitters will be affected.”
Samsuri must also manage PAS and Bersatu’s strained ties while keeping tabs on the ongoing internal strife in Muhyiddin Yassin’s party.
“His ability to balance these two challenges will be a key indicator of whether this technocrat-style leader truly has the moral and political legitimacy to unite PN ahead of the 16th general election,” he said.
He said Samsuri’s performance in Terengganu would also remain under scrutiny, potentially becoming ammunition for his political rivals who would be waiting to exploit his missteps.
If Samsuri fails to administer the state properly, rivals would question his ability to lead the opposition bloc at the federal level, Zaharuddin said.
“Samsuri needs to build a new narrative that highlights competent leadership, otherwise his position (as PN chairman) would be questioned.”
Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said Samsuri would not be able to escape from the shadows of the top two PAS leaders — president Abdul Hadi Awang and his deputy, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
“This is Samsuri’s main challenge. How can he lead a coalition when he is not in full control of his party?”
Mazlan also said Samsuri would struggle to earn the respect of the many influential figures in Bersatu, including deputy president Hamzah Zainudin.
He said that even in Bersatu, Hamzah is seen by many as a natural successor to Muhyiddin.
According to Mazlan, Samsuri’s appointment as PN chairman would subject him to pressure from PAS and Bersatu.
It is understood that a PN Supreme Council meeting will be held after Bersatu’s Supreme Council meets tomorrow to discuss Muhyiddin’s successor as the coalition’s chairman, following his resignation which took effect on Jan 1.