Author: Baradan Kuppusamy
Publication: Asia Times
Date: June 15, 2006
URL: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HF15Ae03.html
The opposition Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS)
is making promises of "justice and equality" to the country's non-Muslims
in an appeal to broaden its electoral support base in anticipation of general
elections next year.
Non-Muslims, including Chinese, Indians and
other ethnic groups that make up 40% of Malaysia's 26 million people, though
deeply desirous of political change, through their voting behavior have historically
been suspicious of the fundamentalist PAS's political agenda.
The PAS's new strategy seeks to convince non-Muslims
that the party now aims to protect and preserve other cultures, traditions
and religions. Moderate Muslim and non-Muslim voters punished PAS during the
2004 general election, where the party managed to retain just seven of its
previous 27 seats in parliament. So bad was the drubbing that PAS opposition
leader, Abdul Hadi Awang, lost his parliamentary seat.
At the time, PAS ran on the promise to set
up an Islamic theocracy if it came to power. The Islamic party has since undertaken
a major makeover that is notably more in tune with the country's constitutional
secular principles, which recognize the rights and interests of Chinese, Indians
and other minorities. At the same time, a moderate, Western-educated group
of leaders is also affecting sweeping changes through the National Front coalition
government led by the United Malays National Organization (UMNO).
Prompted by its 2004 electoral drubbing, PAS
strategists are beginning to reach out to non-Muslims. Changes on the anvil
include the party's new willingness to accept minority Chinese and Indians
as associate members, a stated readiness to field non-Muslims as candidates
in elections under the Islamic banner, and opening membership in the traditionally
all-male Supreme Council to women.
"PAS members are now more mature and
educated to accept such ideas," said PAS deputy president Nasaruddin
Isa. "Islam guarantees equality and justice for all members, irrespective
of their religion and race."
Critics argue that the changes are insincere
and specifically designed to temper the party's extremist image that ill-served
the party during the 2004 election. Political analysts contend that the party
still needs to widen its appeal and articulate its new moderate message in
secular rather than Islamist language. It would also be well served in campaigning
on issues with universal appeal, such as the recent fuel-price hikes.
It's still unclear how non-Muslims, who historically
have directly opposed PAS's theocratic ambitions, will react to the party's
changes. PAS has its public relations machine in motion and is readying a
road show to demonstrate its new moderate outlook and openness.
PAS, which rules Kelantan state in northern
Malaysia, is also offering non-Muslims what they have desired since independence
in 1957 - equality with native Malays through abolition of the UMNO-administered
affirmative-action policies that favor ethnic Malays over other ethnic groups.
PAS is also promising a more transparent,
accountable and avowed corruption-free government, in which the sole criterion
for participation in the party is merit rather than race or religion. All
of those policies are attractive to non-Muslims, but the fear of PAS's previous
vow to establish a theocratic state is deep-rooted.
Islamic fears
That fear has traditionally driven Malaysia's non-Muslims into supporting
the 14-party coalition government that has been in power since 1957, even
though the National Front implemented and maintains its biased affirmative-action
policies.
Led by the UMNO, the National Front has dominated
politics because non-Muslims have supported it in exchange for the party's
guarantee of adherence to secularism.
"It is a very interesting experiment
PAS has embarked upon. Previously, there was considerable non-Muslim sympathy
for PAS because it had dedicated and incorruptible leaders who preached justice
and equality," said Raja Petra Kamaruddin, editor of the Malaysia Today
news website. "But after [September 11, 2001] and the 'war on terror',
the very word 'Islam' terrifies non-Muslims.
"PAS is out to clean up this image in
time for an early general election," he said.
Kamaruddin admits that the divide between
Muslims and non-Muslims has widened considerably in recent years. "Even
opposition political parties refuse to join an opposition coalition if PAS
is a member," he said.
In the aftermath of Malaysia's 1999 general
election, non-Muslim voters punished the opposition Democratic Action Party
(DAP), which largely represents the interests of the ethnic-Chinese community,
for forming a coalition with PAS. After the DAP walked out of the coalition,
those same voters rewarded it by increasing their numbers at the 2004 general
election.
Opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim, who was imprisoned
by former premier Mahathir Mohamad, is now free and racing against time to
persuade non-Muslims not to fall prey to anti-Islam phobia. Anwar, who has
formed an alliance with PAS, is now trying to woo the secular DAP into his
political camp. But many DAP leaders recall what happened when they joined
forces with PAS in the past and are opposed to the idea unless PAS publicly
renounces its Islamic agenda.
More than a million Malay Muslims voted for
PAS in the 2004 general election, implicitly endorsing the party's Islamic-state
platform. For PAS to renounce that policy, political analysts say, would risk
undermining its main support base and could lead to internal dissension among
senior party members.
Many non-Muslims are caught in the same catch-22
dilemma: they like PAS's clean image and transparent management, but they
strongly oppose any political program based entirely on Islam.
"I will join PAS if it gives up Islam,"
said trade unionist A V Kathiah. "Like me, many Malaysians will consider
joining PAS because it has clean and credible leaders. The problem is that
these leaders see everything through the prism of Islam."
Mahfuz Omar, a senior PAS leader, said non-Muslim
fears of Islam are irrational and unjustified. "PAS is making a big sacrifice
by opening its doors to non-Muslims," he said. "Over time, non-Muslims
will realize that Islam is perfect for this life and the hereafter. What more
would anybody want?"
In this existence, Malaysia's non-Muslims
clearly want political equality, the repeal of unequal laws and an end to
policies that favor the dominant Malay race over others.
While the PAS's new strategy addresses important
issues of cultural autonomy, ethnic equality and integrity, suspicions also
remain about the party's historically controversial policies on religious
freedom, gender equality and even dress codes.
(Inter Press Service)
