IN a bid to maintain the power acquired since joining the federal government, PAS has put its principles on the backburner to ensure it doesn’t antagonise any new political ally, analysts said.

PAS leaders, however, refuted this, saying the party has not changed its position on Islamic issues to suit its new status in Putrajaya but is merely focusing on administrative matters as the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government battles to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

Political lecturer at the Universiti Malaya, Mohamad Tawfik Yaakub said it is evident PAS is no longer employing its usual way of aggressively pushing its agenda now that it is in power, which was the case with some opposition parties in Pakatan Harapan.

“It is in PAS’ political interest to maintain its position and, therefore, not uphold the party’s ideology. This was also true for other parties that came into power.

“PAS used to raise major issues but today, it seems to be lost,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Also, because the PN government coalition is so new and fragile – with only a two-seat majority in Parliament – it is likely PAS wants to keep a low profile in a bid to retain the positions it has acquired.

“It is difficult to maintain your position in an unstable government. The government must be stable; only then can the party can raise issues it has long fought for,” he said.

However, PAS’ quiet demeanour will not necessarily affect grassroots or Malay support for the Islamist party.

“Although Umno and PAS don’t see eye to eye, on certain issues, like Malay rights for example, they can come together.

“The Malays will judge whether PN or PH can offer more for them, and that party will have their support,” Tawfik said.

Before joining the federal government, PAS was outspoken on Islamic issues, calling PH, particularly coalition member DAP, a threat to Muslim-Malays.

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) political lecturer Mohd Azizuddin Sani said PAS is aware of its tenuous position in the government and is remaining selective about what issues it raises or comments on.

“As such, PAS’ strategy is to reduce its polemic,” he said.

“PAS appears to be taking its time adjusting to the administration and is refraining from provoking political debate before the 15th general election.

“It is also trying to keep state and federal government administrations running smoothly by avoiding polemic.”

Azizuddin said PAS is also changing its narrow outlook by adopting changes that would appeal to those outside the staunchly religious community.

“PAS is no longer just an Islamist party.

“PAS will follow the current trends in its good relations with Umno. PAS is also becoming more nationalistic,” he said, citing the PAS-Umno muafakat nasional pact as a sign that the party’s ambitions are broadening.

It is hoped that this patriotic approach, alongside its established Islamic struggle, will be widely accepted by the Malays, Azizuddin added.

“Support of rural Malays, including those in urban areas, are high towards muafakat nasional. By joining PN, support for them should get stronger.”

Focusing on job

PAS vice-president Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said party leaders are refraining from joining in political squabbles and focusing on administrative work.

“It is not the same being in the government. We cannot talk a lot. We just do our work,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Amar also defended PAS’ supposed turnaround, saying its objectives and struggles remain the backbone of the Islamist party.

“Our stance and struggles have not changed. They’re the same, but we can’t expect everything to be completed in three months.”

Amar, who is also Kelantan deputy menteri besar, said PAS would continue fighting for matters close to its heart, such as implementation of amendments to the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, known as RUU355, to pave the way for the implementation of hudud.

The amendment was read in the Dewan Rakyat in November 2017 but was not debated.

He said despite PAS’ priority shifting to government matters pertaining to the Covid-19 outbreak, it would not abandon its fight for RUU355.

“This is our main issue of concern. The pandemic is an urgent issue that we need to address. Currently, political issues have to give way to containing the Covid-19 pandemic, so we have to prioritise.” – June 8, 2020.