WAN Saiful Wan Jan, the founding chief executive of think tank Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), will be leaving Islamist party PAS and joining Bersatu, according to a source.

It was announced earlier today that Wan Saiful, who started Ideas in 2009, will step down from his role as chief executive of the think tank on February 28.

The prominent and outspoken political analyst is expected to announce his exit from PAS, which he has been a member of since 1992, into Bersatu some time next week.

“Wan Saiful will join Bersatu,” the source said on condition of anonymity.

The Malaysian Insight is attempting to obtain confirmation from Wan Saiful.

In his announcement on leaving Ideas, Wan Saiful said his move was in the name of change, similar to his decision to leave a comfortable life in the United Kingdom in 2009 to return to Malaysia to set up the institute.

“Now is the time, once again, to take the same risks, bring the same spirit (of change) to a wider audience.”

He also likened his move of leaving Ideas as an important step which he must make now, or “regret forever”.

The Malaysian Insight understands that Wan Saiful will discuss his next political move with several Bersatu leaders in Kuala Lumpur this week.

Last month, the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore published its research on the potential of Bersatu, which was formed by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and led by former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, in Johor as well as the rest of Malaysia.

Wan Saiful is a visiting fellow at the institute.

Last November, Wan Saiful had said he was waiting to be removed from PAS following some of his recent criticisms of the Islamist party. 

He has lashed out at the party for leaving its progressive principles, and called out on the leadership’s path towards conservatism following its internal party crisis in 2015, which led to the formation of splinter party Amanah.

Wan Saiful had set up IDEAS with his two friends, Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Tuanku Muhriz, the son of the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, and banker Wan Mohd Firdaus Wan Fuaad.

In the last nine years, Ideas has released several public policy studies in the fields of governance, integrity, the economy and education.

Apart from being on the advisory board of several chambers of commerce, Wan Saiful is a regular commentator on political and economic issues in the country and region and is often quoted by local and international media.

He also writes regularly for local newspapers such as The Star and Sin Chew, and is often interviewed by international news agencies, such as Reuters, Al-Jazeera and The Economist, as well as TV stations, such as Bloomberg and Channel News Asia (CNA). – February 22, 2018.