Should this approach go unchanged, it will be challenging for the Islamist party, PAS, to gain support from non-Muslims or non-Malays, according to Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research (NASR) senior fellow Azmi Hassan. The extreme rhetoric used by PAS in presenting itself as the sole protector of Malays and Islam, coupled with the denigration of other parties, including Umno, has created the perception among non-Malays and non-Muslims that PAS is an extremely narrow and exclusionary party.
As a result, Azmi believes that unless PAS moderates its extremist rhetoric and mocking of other parties, especially Amanah and Umno, it will struggle to attract non-Malay and non-Muslim support. Azmi also highlighted that PAS is aware that without the support of non-Malays, it would be impossible for them to form a federal government, despite being the party with the most MPs. While PAS could potentially form state governments in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perlis, other states would pose significant challenges.
Previous by-elections in Johor and Pahang demonstrated the need for non-Malay support, but PAS's campaign was considered too extreme and off-putting for non-Malays and non-Muslims. However, there is still ample time for PAS to change its approach and court non-Malay or non-Muslim voters before the next general election (GE16), according to Azmi. He highlighted Amanah as an example of a splinter party from PAS that managed to tone down its rhetoric and appeal to a broader audience.
Azmi believes that with similarities between Amanah and PAS in terms of leadership professionalism and shared ideology, it is not too late for PAS to change its course. To convince non-Malays and non-Muslims, Azmi emphasized that PAS must shed its extremist image. Specific examples he cited were PAS's strong opposition to the sale of beer, its narrow definition of decency, and its aversion to concerts.
Azmi argued that these issues impact everyday life and contribute to the perception of PAS as an extremist party. Syaza Shukri, an assistant professor of political science at the International Islamic University Malaysia, added that while it might be challenging for PAS to court Chinese voters due to the presence of alternative parties like DAP and MCA, PAS could potentially gain support from frustrated Indian voters who feel limited options.
However, Syaza cautioned that PAS needs to moderate its racial and religious rhetoric, particularly concerning the notion of "kafir," which has connotations of inequality and stands in contrast to the concept of equal citizenship advocated by modern Islamic scholars. Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, acknowledged that while it is not inconceivable for PAS to win over non-Muslim support, it would be challenging, considering past experiences.
Oh emphasized that in today's fluid political landscape, where unexpected outcomes occur, it is too early to rule out the possibility of PAS gaining support from a diverse electorate. In conclusion, feedback from experts suggests that PAS needs to undergo significant changes in its rhetoric and approach to attract non-Muslims and non-Malays.
By toning down its extremist image, addressing issues of equality, and demonstrating a more inclusive stance, PAS may have a chance to broaden its support base in future elections. However, the road to gaining non-Malay and non-Muslim support will be challenging and require significant efforts on the part of PAS.
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