PAS is a well-organised, well-oiled, dynamic, and versatile political party today.

Gone were the days when PAS was a backwater party confined to the east coast of Kelantan, Terengganu, and the northern states of Kedah, etc.

In other words, we can now say PAS has come of age. They are already the biggest party, with the biggest number of MPs.

On September 26, 2023, the Terengganu Election Court annulled the results of the Kemaman seat in the 2022 general election.

This may initially be perceived as a moral victory for the PH/BN Unity Government, but PAS quickly turned the table around by naming their Vice President Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, or more popularly known as Dr. Sam who is also the Menteri Besar of Terengganu, as their candidate in Kemaman.

The by-election in Kemaman allowed PAS to propel Dr. Sam into Parliament, thus making a loud and thunderous statement that we have a prime minister candidate in PAS.

In other words, PAS no longer wants to be the backroom boy and is not shy about making the political statement that they are now claiming the “political throne” and a face.

The recognition of Dr. Sam as a potential prime minister was quickly acknowledged.

By a stroke, PAS triumphantly displays their ability to change and dictate an event and future political developments.

At a time when Umno, PKR, Bersatu, etc., were having their own internal problems, PAS emerged victorious over all these dominant parties by having an undisputed face for the prime minister’s post.

Dr. Sam has a political pedigree that is no less than any other political gentry in Umno, Bersatu or PKR.

Academically, he was a lecturer and an aerospace engineer. There goes. this is a technocrat who has led Terengganu PAS to a 100% victory in the recent state election.

As a menteri besar who has ruled Terengganu since 2018, Dr. Sam has never created any bewilderment, fear, phobia, or disapproval from non-Malays. In fact, he is seen more as a technocrat, a scientist, and a progressive.

So, PAS of the past is coming back? There was no fear factor or issue with PAS when they were partners with DAP in the state government from 2008 to 2018.

There was no issue with PAS when they were with BN in the federal government from 1972 to 1977.

PAS, when in or is part of the government, is as tame as DAP when in the government with Tun Dr. Mahathir in 2018.

Under Anthony Loke, DAP as the biggest party in the present government, is equally or tamer now.

You don’t see them talk about the “rule of law” anymore when minority rights are trampled. To put it simply, they don’t even squeak when in pain.

A revisit to 1982 will show that it was DAP, Semangat 46 etc., that helped PAS wrest power from Umno.

Upon coming into power, the cleric-led party introduced the first hudud law in Malaysia.

DAP again worked with PAS in 1999 under the Barisan Alternatif coalition, which incorporated the newly formed Parti Keadilan.

Thereafter, there were a series of PAS and DAP cooperations, and of late, DAP’s “Lao Da” or elder Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, said that DAP was prepared to work with PAS again.

This resonates with DAP repeatedly saying they are prepared to work with Umno prior to GE15.

Post-GE15, DAP’s marriage to Umno became official, and the honeymoon has since bear fruit.

My conclusion is that DAP will work with PAS and recognise Dr. Sam as the nation’s prime minister post-GE16, if the need arises.

What’s so funny? DAP had in 2008 supported Ir. Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin to be the 10th menteri besar of Perak.

When the time comes for DAP to support Dr. Sam as PMXI, DAP will have a ready narrative and justification, and their supporters will wholeheartedly swallow them.

In the meantime, my advice to non-Muslims and especially Chinese is not to be combative or confrontational towards everything that is PAS.

If we buy in the “incendiary rhetoric” of DAP to be confrontational to everything or everyone in PAS, like what DAP did in the past under ABU or “Asalkan Bukan Umno” campaign, what if post-GE16 DAP embraces and marries PAS because the groom is Dr. Sam?

What is our “Plan B” or do we “conteng” our face or “bian lian” again?

Indeed, DAP had mastered the Chinese dramatic art of bian lian. They give the term “two-faced” a whole new meaning of altruism, or for the good of all.

In the meantime, brace ourselves for the first PAS prime minister in Malaysia.

(Senator Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker, a former deputy minister from MCA, has served as Senator since August 2018.)