Analyst: PAS reaps what Jakim, BN sowed

'Many still see the party as a torch bearer of Islam.'

Aeria says the election results show that PH’s brand of politics still doesn’t appeal to many Malays. (Reuters pic)

PETALING JAYA: A political analyst has attributed PAS’ victories in the 14th general election to the influence of the interpretation of Islam pushed for more than 20 years by Barisan Nasional and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).

Andrew Aeria

Speaking to FMT, former Universiti Malaysia Sarawak lecturer Andrew Aeria said PAS’ capture of two states and 18 parliamentary seats showed the party was still seen by many as a torch bearer of Islam.

“The reality is that people vote for PAS because of its struggle,” he said, noting that the party garnered thousands of votes even in places where its candidates were defeated.

PAS’ performance in the polls caught many by surprise. Before the election, some analysts didn’t think it would do well in three-way fights. PKR-linked research firm Invoke even predicted that it would not win a single parliamentary or state seat.

Aeria also said PAS’ victory in Kelantan and Terengganu showed that Pakatan Harapan’s influence was weak in the east coast states.

“PH is not seen as being a viable Malay-based opposition party in Kelantan and Terengganu,” he said. “So people voted PAS, the party they were more familiar with.

“Its voter base is attracted to a conservative Jakim-led interpretation of Islam and this cuts across age groups. Essentially, PAS is reaping what BN and Jakim have been sowing.”

He noted that PAS received impressive numbers of votes in states like Selangor and said this showed that many Malays still weren’t comfortable with PH’s brand of politics.

“But PH doesn’t have to become more Islamic to appeal to PAS’ voters. It just has to practise good governance and take a progressive approach to Islam.”

Another analyst, Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said the election results showed that pundits were wrong in their speculation that PAS’ participation would harm PH and benefit BN.

Instead, he said, voters appeared to have seen the Islamist party as the alternative to BN in Kelantan and Terengganu.

He also said it would be interesting to see what would happen in the coming years, with PAS having the opportunity to further its Islamic agenda in two states against the backdrop of a federal government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“We are going into an era of intense negotiations when it comes to matters that involve the federal and state governments, particularly to what extent Kelantan and Terengganu can implement their Islamic policies.

“We must remember that within PH there are quite a number of leaders who used to be with the Islamist party,” he said, referring to Amanah leaders like Mohamad Sabu, Khalid Samad and Mujahid Rawa. -FMT