Silent revolt brewing within PAS, warns observers

KUALA LUMPUR — Since its formation, Malaysia’s Islamist opposition Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) have counted on the support of its rank and file and a core group of supporters in every election.

But this is no longer a given this time around, said analysts, with confusion over the party’s close ties with the ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno) and impact of splinter party Amanah weighing heavily in the ranks.

Party members and voters whose loyalty are being tested might choose not vote for the Islamist party at the upcoming general election or just sit out the elections, said political observers.

They said the sentiments and number of this group of voters, dubbed the “silent voters”, are difficult to pin down as many were no longer the ardent party supporters of past elections but were keeping mum on who will get their vote at the national polls, which is expected to be called in months.

The possibility of this happening is real as in the 2008 general election, ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition took a beating when many of its supporters did not vote or simply voted for the opposition parties.

It eventually led to BN losing its super majority and the state governments of Selangor, Penang, Perak and Kedah.

The formation of PAS’ splinter party Amanah in 2015 was the catalyst for the formation of this silent group, as the split left many loyalists confused as to the direction of the Islamist party, said political researcher from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Dr Mazlan Ali.

“These groups didn’t leave PAS, but a large number of them will no longer vote for this party in GE14,” he said in using the acronym for the upcoming 14th general election.

According to the results of four studies he has conducted since 2015, as many as 35 per cent of PAS voters joined Amanah after the split.

Out of the remaining 65 per cent, 10 per cent were Amanah supporters but remained in PAS as “harumanis” members, referring to a local mango species which is green on the outside (PAS’ party colours) but orange on the inside (Amanah’s colours).

Another 20 per cent are those unclear on the party’s direction, said Dr Mazlan.

“I think that more than half of this confused group will not vote for PAS in the general election, or opt not go out to vote as a sign of protest.”

His research shows that PAS is likely to only win two state seats if there is a three-cornered fight among PAS, opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) pact and BN.

When The Malaysian Insight went to the ground in Terengganu, the state that was once a PAS stronghold, these “silent voters” confirmed their dilemma.

“We feel that PAS needs to work with Pakatan Harapan to enable us to fight squarely against BN and enable us to win,” said Mr Abdullah Samad, a former civil servant.

“In a three-cornered fight, how are we going to win, because PAS and PH are courting the same group of voters, so BN will win.”

Mr Abdullah said he was “confused” as to whether he should support PAS even though he believed the party would surely lose the elections, or vote PH.

Another PAS member, Mr Mohamad Azmi Salleh, said he believes that PAS should work with PH to vote out the BN government for the sake of the people.

“We are facing difficulties now because the prices of goods keep going up due to the GST (Goods and Services Tax). If PAS is on its own, how are we going to win?” Mr Azmi told The Malaysian Insight.

Ms Saodah Mohamad, a PAS volunteer for the general election, said an entire kampung (village) “turned” to Amanah after the party was formed.

“At a neighbouring kampung, the entire kampung rushed to join (Amanah) quietly, even though the village head used to be a PAS division chief,” she said.

However, if one were to check the membership list, they remain as PAS members, said Ms Saodah.

Eager to capitalise on the swaying loyalties of PAS members, PH is planning to launch its election offensive into Terengganu after the final round of seat allocations is completed on Wednesday (Jan 31).

“We will wait until the division of seats is completed, and then we will go full force on the ground,” said of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) Terengganu secretary Hambali Abdul Latif.

PPBM is among the four allies of PH. The others are Amanah, Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Democratic Action Party.

Currently, discussions over seat allocations in the state is ongoing between PH leaders. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT