Who is a threat to Islam?

 PAS appears oblivious to the fact that not all Muslims in the country subscribe to its politically motivated religious objectives.

From Moaz Nair

PAS, not DAP, poses a genuine threat to the image of Islam.

PAS’s hardline religious agenda has, at times, cast the faith in a negative light. The party appears oblivious to the fact that not all Muslims in the country subscribe to its politically motivated religious objectives.

To many, PAS is seen merely as a political vehicle that exploits religion to convince Malays that it is defending Islam from imaginary enemies.

This has become a recurring feature of PAS’s political strategy, even as it claims to champion the faith.

Regrettably, this approach has turned DAP and other parties into convenient targets, with accusations of being anti-Islam frequently levelled against them.

The reality is that PAS, as a governing party, has struggled to address the pressing social and economic challenges in the states it administers.

PAS leaders are adept at delivering fiery religious speeches, but when it comes to governance and substance, critics argue that the party has fallen short.

A look at the three states governed by PAS shows that they continue to face significant economic and social challenges, including higher poverty rates than wealthier states.

The party has yet to fully resolve these issues despite presenting itself as a guardian of Islamic values and the social order.

In contrast, Penang, which has been governed by DAP-led administrations for years, has achieved stronger economic performance than PAS-governed states.

DAP has never prevented Muslims from practising their faith.

In fact, the Penang government has undertaken various initiatives that have benefited the Muslim community, and many Muslims in the state continue to support or work with the administration.

DAP has never issued any declaration implying that it is anti-Islam or opposed to the Federal Constitution. While the party frequently criticises PAS’s political positions, such criticism is directed at PAS as a political party, not at Islam as a religion.

PAS’s political approach, however, has often been criticised as inconsistent, with its positions shifting according to political circumstances and, at times, moving towards more conservative interpretations of religion.

Its leaders have frequently blamed DAP and others for various shortcomings rather than addressing internal challenges and governance issues.

Critics are of the view that if such politics continues unchecked, it could contribute to a more authoritarian and restrictive political environment should PAS ever gain federal power.

The experiences of several Muslim-majority countries demonstrate the dangers of weak institutions, corruption, and poor governance.

In many cases, these challenges have hindered the development of accountable and inclusive administrations.

The wider Muslim world continues to face complex political and social challenges, and with PAS promoting its own conservative interpretation of political Islam, critics argue that this approach risks creating divisions in a multiracial and multireligious country like Malaysia.

In short, it is not DAP but an uncompromising PAS and parties of a similar nature, that pose a challenge to the broader image of Islam.

As one Muslim politician once said: “Without a political party that exploits religion, our faith remains Islam. Without a party that uses the guise of Islam, our faith remains Islam. Without a narrow race-based party, we remain Malays.” - FMT

Moaz Nair is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.