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Key Highlights
The non-Muslim roadblock to Putrajaya
No numbers, no power
Forgotten vows, silenced voices
The non-Muslim roadblock to Putrajaya
During its recent muktamar, PAS flexed its muscles, making clear that its sights are firmly set on Putrajaya. But one obstacle looms large: non-Muslims, who continue to view the Islamist party with deep caution, fearing that its rule could unravel their way of life and erode freedoms.
To unpack the issue, Malaysiakini spoke to several analysts.
UTM Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities director Mazlan Ali pointed out that PAS’ Malay-Muslim narrative may play well in its east coast and northern strongholds, but it risks hitting a political ceiling in the more diverse west coast constituencies, as well as in Sabah and Sarawak.
IIUM political science associate professor Syaza Shukri described PAS’ position as a precarious balancing act.
“PAS knows and acknowledges the only way for it to get to Putrajaya is with the support of non-Muslims, but they still need to maintain (their position) as a party that defends Malay-Muslim rights.
“In other words, PAS could not (form) the federal government on their own right now,” she told Malaysiakini.
Meanwhile, Oh Ei Sun noted that PAS is effectively stepping into Umno’s shoes as the dominant Malay party, but with that comes an expectation that non-Malay parties will fall in line to remain politically relevant.
“(PAS) has no non-Malay support whatsoever despite such expectations, and those non-Malay parties are expected to be decorative in nature and toe their obedient line, while PAS sweeps most of the Malay votes,” said the Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow.
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No numbers, no power
Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who first helmed the nation for 22 years and later staged a 22-month comeback, certainly knows what it takes to get to the top, and how to topple someone from it.
As opposition parties quarrel over their choice of prime minister, the political centurion delivered a sobering reminder: it all boils down to numbers. Without the arithmetic on your side, no amount of scheming will work.
“I don’t quite understand why so many are scrambling to be named as prime ministerial candidates.
“A candidate will not become prime minister if his party does not win 112 seats,” said the former premier, who holds the rare distinction of leading a coalition that had opposed him for two decades
Mahathir pointed out that winning requires more than just fielding 112 candidates, as parties must also contend with rivals.
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Forgotten vows, silenced voices
Amnesty International Malaysia has called out Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, once a student leader himself, for backtracking on his pledge to protect student voices.
Amnesty’s freedom of expression campaigner Kiran Kaur didn’t hold back, saying it is “shameful” that dissent is still being crushed under Anwar’s watch.
“If every call for change risks a police probe, then what’s the point of claiming to be a country that upholds free speech? Malaysians shouldn’t have to sanitise their opinions just to avoid trouble. This has to stop,” she said.
Kiran warned that unless oppressive laws are repealed or reformed in line with international human rights standards, freedom of expression in Malaysia will remain under siege.
She was responding to police action against the University of Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) after it called for the abolition of the national matriculation programme.
The case is being probed under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for statements likely to cause public alarm, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 on the misuse of network facilities.
Section 505(b) carries up to two years’ jail, a fine, or both, while Section 233 provides for a fine of up to RM500,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both.
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