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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright April 2023
A Facebook contact recently lampooned a political journey by the Islamic party (PAS) in Malaysian politics since 1973. Going by the cute caricatures he uploaded, it is clear that PAS has partnered with five different political parties since then.
It has survived five decades in local politics by partnering with Barisan Nasional (BN), Semangat 46, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP), United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) and finally BERSATU as part of Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition in the last General Election (GE15).
It looks like this latest partnership may last a while longer than most of its previous alliances because the coalition seems to have a strong grip on the Malay dominated states.
Laugh all you want at this religious based party that largely champions Islam as its raison d'etre or reason to exist. It targets only Muslims. They are mostly Malays although they do have a few token non Malay members. It's amazing how it can survive with support exclusively from amongst Malay Muslims in the rural states of Kedah, Trengganu, Kelantan and lately Perlis.
In fact it has ruled Kelantan for decades with limited resources. One of the major criticisms against the party is that it has little to offer its supporters except perhaps "a place in heaven" as many detractors of the party choose to label PAS. But some ardent supporters do believe that PAS is the path to nirvana in the next world. For example, Kelantan has not been able to provide clean potable water to most households in the state for years but the people have put them back in power year after year without fail much to the disappointment of its opponents.
Parties contesting against PAS, more often than not, pick on the ability of the Islamic party to turn tap water into the colour of teh tarik, brownish undrinkable liquid that makes your white shirt brown without the help of any dye.
So, what's the secret of this Green Party then?
- It has a good survival instinct.
- Its grassroot is very strong. It is unshakable. It does not waver. There is a saying that goes something like "Once a PAS supporter always a PAS voter until death do us part."
- Its donors are genuine sincere givers who expect nothing in return because PAS has never ruled the country and would never be able to reward its funders with tangible contracts.
- Reports say in GE15 the party won many seats with the assistance of Tiktok to promote its ideals and aspirations with minimum cost. We suspect this tool would be used more extensively in forthcoming state elections. PAS may appear to be less technically savvy but it has managed to swing public opinion by resorting to this digital application with great success.
- "Undi 18" among Muslim Malay youths disgusted with alleged corruption turned to PAS as an alternative. They have faith in the party because it is fighting for the ummah not to enrich party leaders as in the case of its major opponent. It is this group that has popularised Tiktok at the grassroots getting the old folks in the kampung to reaffirm their faith in PAS.
PAS will be around for the next 50 years surviving from strength to strength reinforced by young Malays who are left with no alternative now that UMNO is going into a doldrum without a clear direction led by its current president who is trying hard to escape from multiple charges of corruption.
PAS is Parti Alternative Sezaman.
So, do not underestimate this Green Party that is getting the masses organised into a Giant Green Wave come July to change the colour of many parts of Peninsular Malaysia into an environmental friendly shade.
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