PAS has surpassed Umno as the protector of Malay and Islamic issues, a survey of 2,614 Malay-Muslims reveals.

“Nearly 30% of Malay-Muslims picked PAS as the main protector of Malay and Islam issues compared with only 27% for Umno,” said Ilham Centre fellow and head of research Dr Mohd Yusri Ibrahim last night.

Compared with PAS and Umno, PKR came in third at 17% followed by Bersatu (4%) and Amanah (3%), said Yusri.

The survey on Malay-Muslim sentiments was conducted between October 1-December 24 involving 2,614 Malay-Muslims nationwide. 

According to Yusri, 34% Malay-Muslims picked Umno and 29% for PAS in a similar survey conducted in August last year.

“This was before Umno lawmakers started leaving the party.”

Seventeen MPs have quit Umno since the elections in May, leaving the party with 37.

Among the findings in the preliminary report done together with Penang Institute was that Malays in the country are generally conservative.

“Some are bent towards Malay nationalism while others are more on Islamic nationalism,” said Yusri.

Although conservative, Yusri said the Malays are still open to democratic ideas.

On a question about Tanah Melayu, 86.7% agreed that Malays are the rightful owners. At the same time, 83.5% also said Malaysia belonged to all the citizens.

The contradictions do not end there as 72.3% agreed that the Chinese and Indians should not ask for equal rights as long as they maintained education in their mother tongue while 79.5% also agreed that all Malaysians should be treated fairly.

On the Islamic side, 83.9% said shariah law should be the highest law of the land but 91.7% supported a multireligious country where all other religions can be practised freely.

The study said Malay-Muslims in general found Pakatan Harapan’s Islamic narrative too difficult to accept.

“The current government has to portray a more centre-right image and not a progressive one as it can be mistaken for being liberal. Pakatan cannot go the conservative right either as it is already occupied by PAS and Umno.

“Although Malay nationalism is higher now, we expect Muslim nationalism to rise in the future.”

Panellist Dr Faisal Hazis said it will take time for the country to change.

“You can’t hope to move to the New Malaysia after 61 years of Old Malaysia,” he said.

The other panellists included Penang Institute’s Dr Wong Chin Huat and Dr Liyana Khairuddin. The session was moderated by Mohd Izzuddin Ramli. The full report is expected to be released next month. – January 30, 2019.