THE ‘green wave’ success enjoyed by Malay-dominated Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the last general election is expected to continue when six states hold their elections this year, Gerakan president Dominic Lau said.

Lau, whose party is part of PN, said almost all of Malays voted for the coalition led by PAS and Bersatu.

He now believes that the pact will continue to ride the same wave in the coming state polls.

PAS already governs Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu. Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan controls Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan.

“The biggest challenge now for PN is how to win support from non-Muslims (in these states).

“In order to do that, Gerakan has to eliminate their Islamophobia. We must do a good job,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Lau said Gerakan understood the people’s fear of Islamisation in the hands of Bersatu and PAS, as even party members have expressed worries.

“We have held meetings with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang on the matter.

“We also put forward our views and the concerns of non-Muslims, their fears, and hope that a balance can be achieved through these meetings.”

However, Lau said despite the ongoing talks within PN, the concerns of the grassroots, especially among the non-Muslims, were still apparent.

“For example, many will say that Kelantan prohibits the sale of pork and alcohol.

“To overcome this, we will have to get our members from Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah to educate the grassroots on the real situation there and the restrictions.

“We will have to first start with our party members, and then turn to convince the non-Muslim voters.

“I have always felt that Malaysia is a multiracial and multicultural country. We need to understand each other in order to come together.”

He said that in addition to understanding the concerns of non-Muslims, it is also necessary to convey to the rakyat that PN is a diverse coalition.

“So, we will be inviting PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin and Hadi to join us in the Chinese New Year festivities.

“We will use this platform to strengthen our mutual relations.”

Lau said that this needs to be done soon as they expect the state polls to take place in May.

Perikatan will not turn Penang into Kedah

Lau also dismissed arguments that PN will turn Penang into a state like Kedah, if it wins.

He said many online commentators had expressed this fear, saying anyone who supported Gerakan is also supporting turning Penang into Kedah.

He responded by saying that Penang cannot be compared with either Kedah, Kelantan or Terengganu because they are Malay-majority states.

“Penang is different because its population is divided equally between Muslims and non-Muslims.

“Among the 40 state constituencies, only 15 are Malay-majority, and the rest are mostly mixed or Chinese constituencies,” he said.

He said that under such a structure, PAS would not have free rein to implement Islamic policies in Penang.

“PAS understands that the population of this state is not mainly Muslim, it will not enforce (religion).

“Although PAS always claims to want to implement an Islamic state because it is an Islamist party, it has always been very clear that Malaysia is multiracial and multicultural.”

He said if Penang voters give PN the mandate, then Gerakan will ensure that the new government implements fair and just policies without affecting the religious and cultural rights of all races.

“I will turn Penang into a state that seeks common ground in differences, that is to say, we can have different religions, cultures and races, and retain our respective rights and interests. In short, Penang will definitely not be the next Kedah.”

In recent weeks, PAS and its lawmakers’ behaviour has spooked non-Muslim voters, fearing the Islamist party is steadfast in its desire to impose its ideology on everyone.

Last week, Permatang Pauh lawmaker Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan suggested a mall in Seberang Jaya not openly sell liquor.

On January 1, all gambling and lottery premises were banned in Kedah.

Then, on January 11, Kedah followed up by saying it would control the sale of alcohol and only allow it to be sold in places where non-Muslims live. – January 23, 2023.