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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright January 2023
It was quite obvious what UMNO was planning to achieve when its President announced that the party plans to have an Ulama Council (religious scholars).
One of the major strategies unveiled by Zahid at the recently concluded UMNO General Assembly is a formation of an UMNO Ulama Council as part of the party's effort to further expand its influence.
"In the policy speech, I spoke on the need to speed up the establishment of the Ulama Council. The relationship between 'ulama' and 'umarak' (a group of leaders) is an important element to ensure the administration of the country is always guided by the Quran and the Sunnah." Zahid said as quoted by Sinar Daily.
On the other hand, PAS is made up mostly of ulamas or clerics and are perceived as being a religious party full of members who are trained in Islamic jurisprudence and various other related disciplines. So, they are probably better informed than UMNO leaders and are supposedly well guided by the Koran and Sunnah. Most of its senior members are perhaps more competent in religious matters.
Umno is the one that needs more guidance on the Koran and Sunnah. So an ulama council is indeed timely and appropriate. The UMNO President said, "Hopefully, with this appointment, religious scholars will guide our journey so that we remain on the right path."
In order to counter PAS-PN in coming elections, UMNO may have to modify the perception of Malay Muslim voters who are more inclined to support the party that gives a greater priority to Islam and Muslims and their practices in the country. Thus Zahid and his team decided to form an UMNO Ulama Council "in line with the party's effort to further expand its influence."
Where then could UMNO further extend its influence?
Most likely it would be in states that are already strongholds of PAS-PN. That means besides Johor, it would have to make an inroad into Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu which are already bastions of PAS.
In addition, BN-UMNO would have to negotiate with PH-DAP-Amanah in order to field candidates in Penang, Negeri Sembilan and perhaps Johor where the other three too have their own roots and might not want to give in easily to UMNO or welcome them into their respective constituencies.
The question that arises then: Would an Ulama Council appointed in the run up to state elections make a difference in the eyes of the voting public?
According to many observers, UMNO's council of ulama "may have little impact if the party does not reform...." (itself). Syed Arabi Idid of International Islamic University Malaysia said UMNO may have a problem adapting to the times and does not appear to know what voters really want from the party. He acknowledged that the ulama council has the potential to bring about changes and will likely contribute significantly to the party.
“But so long as the root issues such as image, money politics and patronage are not resolved at the top leadership level, then the council will not have a great impact,” he said.
It is doubtful that the council will be able to change the perception of the voters towards UMNO positively in coming elections and persuade them to unseat 100% of incumbent PAS and BERSATU assemblymen in Kedah, Kelantan or Trengganu.
Changing perception takes time and effort. UMNO does not have the luxury of time nor the effort which requires deep pockets to finance an intensive campaign within the next few months.
In any case, Zahid said the establishment of the council reflects the party's willingness to cooperate among party affiliates and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
It's clear then that from Zahid's perspective, this is only a ploy to show the party's willingness to forge cooperation among party affiliates and other NGOs. It does not appear to be a concrete strategic plan to really change voter attitudes towards the party that might motivate them to switch allegiance from PAS-PN to UMNO. We doubt it'll even make a dent in the Green Wave that's threatening to overwhelm the rural communities that one UMNO leader once described as the 3P states: Padi, Pondok and PAS.
The padi lands tend to perpetuate growth of pondoks (rural religious schools) where PAS thrives.
It would take more than just an UMNO Ulama Council to wean the supporters away from the ever growing Green Wave.
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