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By Mihar Dias October 2025
If anyone thought PAS’s influence stopped at the Johor Straits, think again. Apparently, the party’s newfound ambition is to export its brand of moral superiority—complete with unsolicited political advice—to our unsuspecting southern neighbours. Malay Mail
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has just given Malaysia’s Islamist party a diplomatic slap on the wrist for “interfering” in their elections. Malay Mail
To which Malaysians can only respond: Wait, they’re meddling where now?
For context, PAS members recently expressed support for Workers’ Party candidate Faisal Manap, praising him for having “the courage” to remind Parliament that religion and politics are inseparable. In the same breath, another PAS Youth leader declared that the People’s Action Party’s Malay-Muslim MPs “cannot be trusted.” That last statement went down in Singapore about as well as a durian in a confined MRT cabin. Malay Mail
Singapore’s MHA didn’t mince words. It called PAS’s remarks “divisive and unacceptable,” reminding everyone that this isn’t Malaysia, where mixing religion and politics is as common as nasi lemak for breakfast. “It may be how politics are organised elsewhere,” said the ministry dryly, “but not here.” Malay Mail
Translation: Keep your sermons north of the causeway, thank you very much.
What’s fascinating, though, is how PAS tried to dance its way out of the diplomatic puddle. First, it claimed those statements were just “personal views.” Now, months later, the party insists they reflect its “official position.” Malay Mail
Singapore, known for its precision, politely asked the obvious: “So what is PAS’s true position?” Malay Mail
That’s a fair question. Even Malaysians aren’t sure from one week to the next.
Let’s be honest: the irony here is too much.
A Malaysian party that can’t decide whether to cooperate with UMNO, Perikatan Nasional, or divine intervention now wants to tell Singaporeans how to vote.
One can almost imagine the scene: a PAS think-tank in Kota Bharu, brainstorming strategies to “save” Singapore from secularism, perhaps while sipping kopi from a cup labelled Halal Republic.
Of course, the Singapore government takes this seriously. They’ve long warned about the dangers of foreign interference, especially when it involves stirring racial or religious sentiments.
And given PAS’s fondness for sermonising about morality, it’s easy to see why the MHA got jumpy. In a society that prizes racial harmony and meritocracy, PAS’s brand of “religion-first” politics is about as welcome as a loudspeaker azan in Orchard Road.
Minister Shanmugam asked rhetorically: “Does anyone seriously believe PAS supports the Workers’ Party because it cares for Singaporeans?” Malay Mail
Good question. It’s hard enough believing PAS genuinely cares for all Malaysians—non-Muslims included—let alone our neighbours.
Perhaps PAS sees itself as a regional moral compass, a self-appointed guardian of Southeast Asian virtue. After all, Malaysia’s own elections no longer seem thrilling enough. So why not add Singapore to the mission field?
Who knows—next they might try offering guidance to Jakarta or Bangkok, citing “religious solidarity.” ASEAN meetings could soon need a mufti on standby.
Cynically speaking, this episode reveals something deeply Malaysian: our politicians’ irresistible urge to comment on things that are none of their business.
From the Palestinian conflict to Miss Universe pageants, there’s always a PAS representative ready with divine commentary. So why stop at our borders?
But in all fairness, Singapore’s response was a masterclass in diplomacy—firm, calm, and devastatingly polite.
“Foreigners may have views,” the MHA said, “but those views must never cross the line into interference.” Malay Mail
In other words: Preach all you want, just not here.
So, PAS, take the hint. Singapore’s not interested in imported sermons. Their voters don’t need political guidance from across the causeway.
After all, meddling in a neighbour’s election might make for a fun headline. But if you’re not careful, it might also make your neighbours lock the gate—and throw away the key.
Mihar Dias (mihardias@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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