PAS can’t capitalise on non-Malay discontent with govt, say analysts

PAS can’t capitalise on non-Malay discontent with govt, say analysts

PETALING JAYA: Analysts are sceptical of PAS’s ability to win over non-Malay voters, even as frustration with Pakatan Harapan (PH) grows as the Islamic party is not positioned to capitalise on their discontent with the unity government.

Wong Chin Huat of Sunway University says PAS and the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition it leads continues to operate within a “zero-sum paradigm”, where political gains for non-Muslims are seen as losses for Muslims, and vice versa—an approach deeply ingrained in their electoral strategy.

“This paradigm makes (PAS’s) competition against PH and Barisan Nasional (BN) most effective,” he told FMT, adding however that PAS and PN will not win non-Malay support if they continue to rely on it.

Wong was commenting on PAS vice-president Amar Abdullah’s recent claim that the party was looking to woo non-Malay voters who have become disillusioned with the PH-led unity government.

This, said Wong, was primarily due to PAS’s perceived doublespeak.

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“Non-Muslims feel cheated whenever PAS talks about winning their votes,” he said, referring to contradictions in the party’s messaging.

He cited Abdul Hadi Awang as an example, saying the PAS president presents himself as a multiculturist only at Chinese New Year.

““Every Chinese New Year, Hadi would wear red, visit his Chinese in-laws and tell us he is all for multiculturalism. Once CNY is over, he would talk about the threat of Christianisation or that non-Muslims should be dhimmis (second-class citizens),” said Wong.

Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia, believes that although many non-Malay voters have been critical of PH recently, they remain wary of PN’s conservatism.

“I do not think these PH supporters would support PN in its current form. Although they want a ‘clean’ party, they won’t compromise on other progressive issues like equality and inclusivity,” she said.

“To be honest…the party is not going for any big reforms. They want to continue as they are and play the long game.

“Their manifesto is just to show that an ‘Islamic’ party and government is okay, and they’ll continue with that. Any major reforms would disrupt their momentum.”