No non-Muslim voice in new govt, say analysts

Angie Tan Angie Tan Updated 4 years ago · Published on 3 Mar 2020 11:00AM · 5 Comments

Experts believe a new Malay majority government will marginalise non-Muslims, with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (right) likely to seek the deputy prime minister’s post. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, March 3, 2020.

NON-MUSLIM voices and interests will be minimally represented in the new Perikatan Nasional government, said analysts.

They told The Malaysian Insight the issues impacting the minorities will not matter in the Malay-Muslim dominated cabinet and warned of tough times ahead for non-Muslims.

“It is going to be tough in the next three years (for non-Muslims),” said Lau Zhe Wei, an assistant professor in Islamic studies at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

“The voices of non-Muslims and their issues won’t matter in the new cabinet, which may be dominated by Malay-Muslim members,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Independent political analyst Liew Wui Chern agreed, saying that it will be a challenge now for non-Muslims.

He also feared that with PAS in the ruling pact, the national agenda may move towards Islamisation.

Liew said there is a possibility that PAS will exercise its influence to lobby for its chief, Abdul Hadi Awang, to be appointed as deputy prime minister.

“If that is the case, it will be a big challenge for non-Muslims. I don’t know if the country will move towards Islamisation in the future.”

He also said much will depend on the strength of the cooperation between PAS and Umno.

If the two are able to cement a solid working relationship, the impact on non-Muslims will be deep, said Liew.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) assistant professor Dr Chin Chong Foh said while PAS and Umno have a common dream to become the ruling government, they will still need to iron out various aspects of governance, such as the running the state and federal governments.

This, he said, will take at least three months to firm up.

“The immediate impact will not be great on voters because the new government cannot change the old policies immediately after taking office,” Chin said.

He added that while PAS and Umno have garnered strong Malay support in the last general election, they should now try to gain the support of the non-Malays.

“I think that their strategy should not be on suppressing the non-Muslims but should instead be on actively attracting non-Muslim voters or introducing policies to please such groups.”

Chin said the biggest change will come when filling key government positions.

The new cabinet will have only a small number of non-Malay ministers.

“After all, this is a multiracial country, and the government should promote great unity and not division. Such an image will also attract foreign investments.”

Perikatan Nasional comprises of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s faction of Bersatu, Barisan Nasional, PAS, a PKR faction led by its former deputy president Azmin Ali and supported by the coalition of Gabungan Parti Sarawak. – March 3, 2020.

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Comments

  • MCA and MIC can very well go and die.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • The thief and liar and fake hadis worship became malay opportunist to guide the government.This people will no t stop cheating the people of malaysia.

    Posted 4 years ago by Yutian Lee · Reply

  • Your analyst all Chinese. Ask a Few Malays you might be surprised.

    Posted 4 years ago by P P · Reply

  • Sarawak MPs are both the destroyer and saviour of non-Muslim rights. By not supporting PH they have destroyed the multi-ethnic legally elected government but may be the only ones able to join this government who are not Peninsular Malays.

    Posted 4 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • meaning that you want a non-Muslim government to rule the country? it's not enough with the non muslim from sabah n Sarawak?

    Posted 4 years ago by Saiful halim · Reply