PAS’ new politics is like spinning its own cocoon

Oriental Daily, June 6, 2016

Many people view that PAS is no more like before. After the demise of Nik Aziz on Feb 12, 2015, the party has taken a 180 degree turn. Others say PAS is still PAS, whether now or before. Whether it is about campaigning for an Islamic state or pushing for the enforcement of hudud, the difference is only its approach and timing.

When Nik Aziz was in power, the Islamic flavor was watered down and the party spread from the kampong areas to the cities, from the east coast to west coast of the peninsula. He worked well with former President Fadzil Noor and PAS took on a multi-colored facet.

Fadzil Noor died on June 23, 2002. He was succeeded by Hadi, with a stronger conservative and religious image. The liberal faction headed by Nik Aziz has been relegated to history with his death.

PAS’ 62^nd annual meeting showed a transformation. PAS youth leaders for the first time were all garbed in green Malay warrior costume complete with a keris at its opening ceremony. They have all discarded the religious image of white robe and cap. At the closing ceremony, Hadi used a one-metre long keris to cut the cake.

The ceremonies as well as Hadi’s speech all pointed to a great Malay unity. The unspoken part is an agenda to unite all Malay forces to promote a greater unity and the Islamic agenda. The first step is for UMNO to give way to Hadi’s private bill.

Without the liberal faction, the annual meeting has become a single-voice forum. The attack on UMNO has weakened, paving the way for mutual understanding and co-operation. A new political agenda based on the same skin-colour and religion has risen.

Those in power regard this as mature politics by reducing frictions with UMNO. PAS’ new politics now is pointing the gun at Amanah, the rebellious and DAP which does not respect Islam while reviewing its relations with PKR.

The tagline of “PAS for all people” has been relegated to history and replaced by “UMNO-PAS co-operation.” PAS has retreated to defend its Malay/Muslim market instead of embracing all the people. Is there a market for PAS’ new politics or would it become a losing game, only time will tell.

PAS was kicked out of Barisan Nasioanl in 1977 and subsequently lost power in Kelantan. The episode had always been a pain to many PAS veterans, and Nik Aziz had always reminded party members to be cautious about UMNO.

Originally, the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections could be viewed as a testing ground for PAS’ new politics if it is straight fights between UMNO and PAS. However, they turned out to be multi-cornered fights now and the game has been spoilt. UMNO has a winning chance and PAS also understands that Amanah is there to spoil the game and lower PAS’ chances of winning.

I am in great doubt whether PAS really wants to win in the two by-elections. The party stresses on Malay-Muslim agenda, its relationship with UMNO has become ambiguous, and their rivalry has gradually been replaced by co-operation. Will the new politics bring about a new hope for PAS?

The short-term gains made by PAS may not be sufficient to make up for the loss of support over the long term. It is like spinning its own cocoon. Viewed from the angle of a plural society, the new politics could only lead to a smaller and narrower pathway. The collaboration between UMNO and PAS is not about PAS’ new politics; it is about extending UMNO’s rule.