WITH PAS openly defying a Ruler’s decree over the Bon Odori festival, an expert said the Islamist party was “walking on thin ice” in its attempt to resuscitate its dwindling support among the Malays.
“In my view, they are only making things worse for themselves. While I understand this is PAS’ attempt to win back support from the rural Malays, it may actually backfire on them.
“One must understand that while championing Islam may get you support from rural Malays, the latter also abhor any act of insolence towards the Rulers,” Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd (ARRESCON principal consultant R Paneir Selvam told FocusM.
Last week, Islamic Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad reminded Muslims to stay away from the Bon Odori festival that has been celebrated in Malaysia for nearly 30 years, alleging that the celebration is “influenced by elements of other religions”.
However, Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah intervened on the matter and instructed the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) and the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) to not obstruct anyone from attending it.
His Majesty also urged Idris, JAIS and MBSA to attend the festival so they could understand the difference between cultural and religious event.
However, both PAS youth and its ulama wing openly disagreed with the Ruler’s decree and urged all quarters to respect the views of muftis.
PAS ulama wing chief Ahmad Yahya went further and said the view which held that Bon Odori was a cultural festival did not hold merit.
Yesterday, Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Ahmad Yunus Hairi said the state government needs to assert its authority regarding the involvement of Muslims in the festival and penalise any employers who compel their Muslim workers to get involved in the festival.
Touching on the matter, Paneir Selvam said that despite all the bravado, PAS knows very well that cracks have emerged amongst its core support base; the rural Malays.
Overstepping legal boundaries
He added that the problem began after the Islamist party joined the Perikatan Nasional (Perikatan) coalition led by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), instead of strengthening its pact with UMNO under the Muafakat Nasional (Mufakat) charter.
“However, Bersatu is too weak which put PAS in a bind. After snubbing UMNO repeatedly, the nationalist party has ditched the party too.
“And of course, there is little chance for PAS to work with Pakatan Harapan given all the insults the former had thrown at the latter for years.
“So, they are playing up this non-issue to the hilt to gain political mileage among its support base. PAS is hoping that by harping on the issue, they can be seen as the champion of Islam again,” Paneir Selvam noted.
Speaking in legal terms, he reminded all quarters that under the Federal Constitution, the Malay Rulers are the ultimate authority in their respective states when it comes to Islamic affairs.
“And the Ruler has decreed that the Bon Odori festival can proceed as planned as it was not against Islam but PAS is still persistent on disallowing Muslims from attending it.
“Apart of disrespecting the monarch, the Islamist party is also breaching the law by attempting to usurp Sultan Sharafudin’s authority on the matter,” Paneir Selvam concluded. – June 12, 2022
