Admitting the Islamist party is very much focused on policies for Muslims, the PAS deputy president said the party, however, has to spread its wings and approach non-Muslims to become a dominant party in Malaysia.

“We really need to work harder in approaching other races because any party that wants to become dominant in Malaysia cannot be of just one race.

“It must represent various ethnicities – the Chinese and Indians and others,” Tuan Ibrahim told The Malaysian Insight.

Tuan Ibrahim, who is also Kubang Kerian MP, said PAS’ lack of engagement with non-Muslims could be a reason why the party missed out on their votes.

“We admit that because the policies brought by PAS are Islamic. Non-Muslim sentiments towards PAS are not as strong as the parties representing their people, like MIC or MCA.

“I also think that among many other things, our lack of engagement with the Chinese and Indian communities (could also be a factor for the lack of support),” he said.

Tuan Ibrahim said PAS, being a powerhouse in northeastern parts of Malaysia, has relatively high levels of support in Malay-populated states such as Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis.

“In the states we won, non-Muslim support for PAS has not been an issue in recent times.

“We won quite convincingly in Alor Star and Kuantan (in the last general election), which are mixed constituencies. Non-Muslims’ support for PAS seems to be improving,” he said.

In the November polls, PAS won overwhelmingly in Kelantan and Terengganu, capturing all the parliamentary seats it contested, while it dominated Kedah (9) and Perlis (2).

The Islamist party snatched a total of 43 parliamentary seats, the largest number by any single party.

Ethnic minorities not sidelined in PAS states

Tuan Ibrahim also said they do not sideline the non-Muslims in the states PAS governs, adding they are given allocations as well as positions.

“If we look at PAS states, it is evident the non-Muslim communities are not marginalised at all.

“For example in Kelantan, to deal with religion, culture (and) life, allocations are given (to the non-Muslims).

“We appoint Chinese, Indians and even Siamese officials to be in the state government, although they were not (election) candidates nor assemblymen.

“It means we care about the issues that concern the non-Muslims,” he said.

Tuan Ibrahim said he had a discussion with the party’s non-Muslim wing – the PAS Supporters’ Congress (DHPP) – on policy framework as well as how to engage with non-Muslims.

He said although non-Muslims do not fully support DHPP, they are working to strengthen their relationship.

At the coalition level, Tuan Ibrahim said Perikatan Nasional (PN) is well received by the Muslims.

Despite having Gerakan in its fold to represent non-Muslims, Tuan Ibrahim said the party did not manage to entice much support from non-Muslims.

“In the last election, we put great hopes on Gerakan but they still failed because DAP was too strong. I think even MCA, MIC also failed (to get much support),” he said.

Tuan Ibrahim said several non-Muslim parties had expressed interest to be part of PN, but no decision has been made.

“There is an application from an Indian-based party, where they were part of the government previously. It is not MIC but they represent Indians and there are some Chinese leaders who also have expressed interest to be part of PN,” he said.

Party made up of professionals too

Meanwhile, Tuan Ibrahim said the party’s lawmakers comprise not only religious scholars but also technocrats.

He said the attire donned by PAS leaders and lawmakers, especially the “songkok”, leads people to assume all have religious backgrounds.

“Most don’t know PAS leaders also consist of professionals.

“Actually those who wear the songkok are professors, doctors, lecturers, engineers and lawyers but when they join PAS they wear a songkok.

Tuan Ibrahim said people these days want leaders from various education backgrounds in representing PAS, not just religious scholars.

“In the past, the perception was that a member from PAS must be a religious person,” he said.

“I have a religious education background but when we were in the government, I was entrusted to take care of the Environment and Water Ministry.

“Likewise, Takiyuddin (Hassan), who studied in an Islamic college was made the de facto law minister.

“So we diversify and this is probably what the people want to see. It could also be a factor that affects the sentiment of supporters,” he added. – March 15, 2023.