In a recent development, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad met with four chief ministers from Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), alongside PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang. This meeting signifies a potential political reconciliation, a surprising turn of events considering the historical animosity between Mahathir and PAS during his tenure as prime minister. While this alliance may serve immediate strategic interests, its potential to significantly broaden PAS' influence beyond its current stronghold appears limited.
The November 2022 general election marked the end of Mahathir's illustrious six-decade political career, culminating in his loss of the Langkawi seat and resignation from his party, Pejuang. With a newfound focus on documenting Malaysia's history, Mahathir retreated from active public life, preferring international platforms for his discourse.
Mahathir's re-entry into domestic politics was triggered by Anwar Ibrahim's controversial insinuation at the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) convention, implying financial impropriety during Mahathir's lengthy tenure. While Anwar did not directly name Mahathir, legal action was pursued. This development led Mahathir to re-embrace discussions on safeguarding Malay rights, drawing him closer to the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, of which PAS is a part. In the recent state elections, Mahathir campaigned for PN, despite not holding membership.
Historically, Mahathir held reservations about PAS, deeming it a "backward" political entity in the 1980s and 1990s. This stance was primarily due to PAS' advocacy for an Islamic state and a Shariah criminal code, including severe punishments like amputation and stoning. At that time, Mahathir, along with the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)-led government, staunchly opposed these measures. Mahathir also criticized PAS for branding UMNO leaders as "kafir" (deviant) and endorsing Abdul Hadi Awang's controversial Amanat Haji Hadi (Abdul Hadi's Message) in 1981, actions incongruent with Islamic principles.
While the recent alliance between Mahathir and PAS may serve their immediate interests, it raises critical questions about the long-term implications for PAS and Malaysia's political landscape. Relying solely on Mahathir's political capital may not be the transformative force PAS needs to expand its influence and appeal beyond its current strongholds. In the evolving dynamics of Malaysian politics, a more comprehensive strategy is warranted for PAS to make substantial gains and shape the nation's future.
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