Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

IN responding to criticisms of the controversial “Himpunan Pemuda Islam Terengganu”, or Himpit gathering reportedly organised by PAS Youth, its party deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man insisted that the public should not be unduly worried by the show of seeming belligerence by its members. 

Pictures and clips of party members clad in mediaeval Islamic war costumes and carrying replica weapons, including bows, swords, and spears have made their rounds on social media, causing a stir among Malaysians, particularly the non-Muslim community and concerned Muslims.

Tuan Ibrahim, however, assured the public that the war-tinged parade was merely akin to the Chinese opera.

But then, since when has the Islamist party been known to have lent support to operatic activities, let alone Mak Yong? 

Moreover, Chinese operas are performed on stage – not paraded on the streets – and the characters normally do not flash replica weapons. 

In the same breath, the Kubang Kerian MP urged his detractors not to waste time judging this attention-seeking event, but instead focus on “more meaningful things such as tackling the rising cost of living, education and social problems”.

Perhaps this golden advice should have been preached to PAS Youth before they ventured to act like Muslim warriors of the mediaeval past, a narrative that does not do justice to Islam that promotes peace.

That is why this political parade had prompted the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, to intervene and advise members of the public not to participate in such an event that could cause misunderstanding and public anxiety.

He rightly called on the event organisers to instead promote Islamic values that prioritise peace and harmony. Such an approach would go a long way towards building a diverse society on the foundation of mutual understanding, trust and respect. 

The general public would surely be appreciative of youth, including PAS Youth, who would instead spend time in efforts to improve conditions in society, such as finding ways and means to help the poor and the marginalised cope with the rising cost of living, take care of the educational needs of poor children, and help stem drug addiction among the young people. 

Besides, why did the party members need to don war costumes and carry fake weapons at a supposedly political event? Surely, this was not in preparation for a costume party. 

We are made to understand that this parade was part of a design competition based on the themes of clothing, weapons and Islamic heritage. 

The party should have instead taken this opportunity to highlight Islamic heritage in terms of its past achievements in and contributions to, say, science, medicine, mathematics, architecture and culture for the intellectual benefit of the youth as well as other interested Malaysians. It is a pride that is well placed in Islamic history. 

It makes you wonder, though, whether this parade was one way of PAS wanting to tell the public that they are a truly Islamic force to be reckoned with – after being re-energised by a huge electoral success in the last general election. 

What was the party trying to convey, especially to the impressionable minds, by showcasing war costumes and replica weapons? 

This would not be the first incident that has sparked public uneasiness, particularly among non-Muslims. 

In the last general election, there was a video that went viral, showing a group of people on horseback carrying PAS and Perikatan Nasional flags, as well as white and green flags with the shahada written on them. The shahada is a central part of the Islamic faith.

There is a bigger war worth waging by all Malaysians, irrespective of their ethnicities, religions and political affiliations. 

It is the fight against poverty, injustice, corruption, racism, hypocrisy, extremism and last but not least, ignorance. – February 20, 2023.