Kuala Lampur, Aug. 5 -- Malaysian politics has always been fluid, but few political parties have demonstrated as much adaptability as PAS.

Over the decades, PAS has entered alliances with parties of vastly different ideological orientations, from UMNO to Semangat 46, DAP, PKR and Bersatu.

Yet the common criticism levelled against PAS is that it has often emerged from these partnerships stronger while leaving its allies weaker, divided or politically diminished.

Whether this perception is entirely fair is open to debate. Politics is rarely a one-sided affair. Alliances succeed or fail because of the calculations of all partners involved.

Nevertheless, PAS's historical trajectory provides enough evidence to explain why many observers ap...