OF all the political parties strategising for the next elections, perhaps none is at as conflicting a crossroads as PAS.  

The Islamist party will need to pick a side, or no side, and its choice of allegiance will determine not only its fate for the next elections, but the ideological narrative it will need to sell to its supporters and grassroots alike, for the next decade or so. 

Since its inception, PAS has spent half its lifetime in one alliance or another, having been part of Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Rakyat, Gagasan Rakyat and Barisan Alternatif, just to name a few. 

It has drawn and redrawn the lines for both its friends and enemies, both ideologically and politically.  

In multicultural coalitions like BN and PR, it played up its tolerance card and harmony card, taking a moderate stance on issues while being the torchbearer of Islamic leadership.

In coalitions that tilt more to the right, like PN and GR, it is able to build on this, while also tapping into the nationalistic sentiment of the alliance itself, to optimise both its relevance and political power. 

Ironically, it was PR that offered PAS both, as PAS was able to fill the position of a powerful Bumiputera dominant party, despite having a balanced proportion of seats.  

PAS’ non-competition with PKR and DAP for seats and its renown among the same demographic group also allowed it latitude to push a development agenda as well as prosper from corporate political support.  

Had PAS continued down the road and stuck by its allies, it would likely be the strongest Malay-Muslim party, and by virtue of representing the largest bloc of voters, the most influential party as well. 

Instead, PAS hitched up with Umno and formed a shaky government, now in its second incarnation, without a clear future direction. 

PAS had sold the idea of a Bumiputera-led government that would mean easier implementation of Islamic policies such as alcohol restrictions and hudud but has thus been unable to make headway with these. This is mainly because of both Bersatu’ nd Umno’s insistence on playing nice with their non-Muslim allies and considering the sensitivities of their Bornean allies. 

If PAS elects to continue down this path, it would be hard-pressed to convince its sympathisers that anything will change, if at all, with this second attempt. 

PAS should by now realises that it requires far more tact and finesse than its usual rather crude, firebrand rhetoric to successfully implement a policy.

Political realities have forced the Bersatu-led coalition to give way to Umno, but even this collaboration is shaky.

All parties have realised that to rule seamlessly, there needs to be a strong Malay-Muslim leadership but with tacit non-Malay Muslim support from both halves of Malaysia.

At present, no Malay-Muslim party, alone or allied with another, is able to rule Malaysia without the help of non-Malay parties. 

DAP and Umno too have realised that their ceaseless quarrel is highly unproductive and as non-ideal as it is, cooperation between them brings stability and yields results. 

PAS has a strong grassroots base and election machinery and is an established brand, unlike the much younger Pejuang, Bersatu, Amanah or Muda. But if it continues to sell an idea that is too hardline and is unable to implement it, its supporters will quickly move on to the newer parties. 

It would seem that PAS is also quickly realising that the non-Muslim parties, even DAP, isn’t that bad, even praising some of the latter’s policies in Parliament recently. Policies they have not been able to replicate – like cutting down gambling and raising allocations to Muslim schools. 

The question PAS would need to answer now is if it is more important to maintain its raison d’etre to the exclusion of everything else or actually win an election and govern. 

It cannot have it both ways. – October 13, 2021.
 

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.