PAS Pushes Islamic Agenda With Eye On Next General Election

Party's recent measures appear aimed at boosting its image as staunch defender of syariah law

- Hazlin Hassan

Malaysia's opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) is making moves to consolidate its political power ahead of the next general election, analysts said.

Recent measures, such as mandating halal certification for all food outlets in Kelantan and endorsing a controversial public caning in Terengganu, appear to be aimed at bolstering the Islamist party's image as a staunch defender of syariah law.

These actions contrast with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government, which has faced delays in pushing for a controversial Mufti Bill amid opposition from legal experts and leading figures such as Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin and the Sultan of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail.

While these moves could strengthen PAS' influence in its conservative strongholds, the party risks alienating moderate Malays and non-Muslims, experts say.

"PAS is doing this because they need to shore up support before the next general election," said Professor James Chin, an Asian studies expert at the University of Tasmania.

"If Anwar can get (the Mufti Bill) done, he will score a major victory over PAS."

The Bill - which would grant the federal territories' mufti in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan the power to enshrine religious edicts in law - was tabled for its first reading in Parliament in July. After a lag of months, it is expected to be tabled for a second reading in the next parliamentary session that begins in February.

The Bill will allow the mufti to propose a fatwa, or religious ruling, to the King and have it gazetted into law without parliamentary debate; the fatwa will then become legally binding on all Muslims who are in the federal territories. Non-Muslims are not affected.

PAS wants to demonstrate its commitment to Islamisation, boosting its image as the "guardian" of Islamic principles, said Universiti Malaya political science professor Awang Azman Pawi.