Non-Muslim support possible if PAS dares to change, say analysts

For PAS to be the party of choice for non-Muslims by 2030, political analysts believe that it must be willing to change some of its stances and policies. 

Political scientist Wong Chin Huat said that non-Muslims are not easily fooled by political gimmicks and will judge the party’s sincerity in winning their support.

For example, Wong said PAS often labels non-Muslims as “kafir harbi” and Muslims who disagree with the party as “kafir”.

“PAS sows fear among Muslims towards non-Muslims. But during the election season, they would try to get the non-Muslims’ votes, or when celebrating Chinese New Year, Tok Guru (PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang) would be in red clothes, taking pictures with his family and his Chinese daughter-in-law.

“PAS will still fail to gain support even 100 years from now (if it persists). 

“Non-Muslims are not stupid and will not be fooled by insincere political gimmicks, they make assessments based on facts,” he told Malaysiakini.

Wong Chin Huat

Another example Wong cited was the dispute between the Kuala Terengganu City Council (MBKT) and traders of the Kampung Tiong market, which has been synonymous with the Chinese community for the past 40 years.

MBKT has approved the development of a 30-storey apartment where the market is located.

“PAS appointed Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (Terengganu menteri besar) as the next PM, but the non-Muslim community will remember how MBKT dealt with the market (and its traders),” he said.

Wong added that PAS should show the true Islamic spirit in celebrating the diversity of races and religions in Malaysia.

Start in Sarawak

On Tuesday (Jan 16), PAS unity bureau chairperson Halimah Ali said the party needs to pay attention to non-Muslim issues if it wants to be the dominant party in the government, be it at the state or federal level.

The Kapar MP said she wants to come up with a plan to make PAS a top choice for non-Muslims by 2030.

Wong said after the progressive faction of PAS split from the party and formed Amanah in 2015, it then positioned itself as a Malay-Muslim nationalist party and attracted many voters from the segment as a result.

“This of course keeps away the minority (non Malay-muslim) voters. Is PAS willing to retract its stand (solely) to attract the minority votes?” he asked. 

He said that if Halimah, who is Sarawakian, managed to get PAS accepted in Sarawak, perhaps there might be a chance for the party.

Halimah Ali (right)

“If Halimah can make changes in PAS where the Sarawakian Malays can accept the party, then there is a great chance for PAS to succeed.

“Sarawak and Sabah are examples of diverse societies with different values and cultures, (maybe) PAS can train itself there,” he added. 

Empowering the non-Muslim supporters’ wing

Meanwhile, political analyst Sivamurugan Pandian said PAS can empower its Non-Muslim Supporters’ wing, which was previously upgraded from the PAS supporters club. 

Sivamurugan said PAS has collaborated with other coalitions and parties that have non-Muslim members and the party’s history has shown its ability to attract votes with non-Muslim candidates.

He believed that if PAS can highlight a leader who has stature and authority, it will be able to erase the negative perception of the party. 

“In local politics, everything is possible, and history has also proven that they were able to attract the voters’ support in the East Coast,” said the Universiti Sains Malaysia analyst. 

He added that PAS needs to draw up a long-term plan and see how the “welfare state” framework can be used as a reference to attract the support of non-Malays.

“There are some changes or modifications that need to be made in its articulation to change the perception and impression of exaggeration if PAS wants to attract non-Malay support,” he added. - Mkini