SO social media influencer and activist Nur Fathiah Syazwana Shaharuddin who is better known as Cleopatra has officially joined Islamist party PAS on May 31.
Reason cited? The need to provide a better future for her children.
In a Facebook post, PAS’ Muslimat Wing noted that Cleopatra submitted her application to wing chief Nuridah Mohd Salleh.
Nuridah said the wing has long remained committed to championing the welfare of vulnerable groups such as the poor, people with disabilities, the elderly, single mothers and orphans.
“Cleopatra’s entry into PAS is seen as a strategic move to strengthen women’s political engagement in Malaysia and to further the cause of community welfare,” it justified.
A single mother and entrepreneur, Cleopatrah also founded women’s and community rights group called the Hetero Action Women Alliance (HAWA).
This move was widely discussed on social media as highlighted by a post on X by capik (@syfqanwar). He sarcastically labelled it the “most important transfer this century”.
Paling random Cleopatra masuk PAS.
Transfer yang paling penting abad ini. https://t.co/jr7juYWVhZ
— capik (@syfqanwar) June 1, 2025
Given that many people apply to join PAS, including high profile celebrities, so what’s so special about Cleopatra’s application?
Could it be because she has been subject to all manner of juicy gossip? In 2024, the 31-year-old was forced to deny that she had tied the knot with former deputy inspector-general of police Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Zinin in Thailand after a purported marriage certificate went public (which was later confirmed by the authorities to be fake).
Or perhaps it is because Cleopatra stood as an independent candidate for the Batu parliamentary seat in 15th General Election (GE15). Alas, her popularity online did not translate into votes as she lost her deposit with a measly 628 votes.
It was then cheekily suggested by some netizens that perhaps the next person to join PAS would be fire brand lawyer Siti Kasim!
The poster said such an occurrence would indicate a totally warped reality involving different multiverses (alluding to Marvel Studio’s multiverse concept).
But why not? Like Cleopatra, Siti Kasim also lost her deposit contesting the 10-corner Batu seat contest by garnering just 653 votes.
Given her outspoken views on women’s rights (among various issues), Siti Kasim can also be described as a social activist who fits the Islamist party’s stated vision mission in championing “vulnerable groups”.
Certainly, it would be massive coup for PAS if it is able to rope in the legal eagle who has previously had many run-ins with the Islamist party. It would mark a complete U-turn on the stated principles of the lawyer with colourful hair-dos.
Meanwhile, Cleopatra’s reason for joining PAS was roundly mocked by some. Since when the welfare of children is used as justification for joining a political party, wondered one commenter.
Another commenter claimed that the move was seen as a sure way to get into the Dewan Rakyat.
With a seat secured – possibly in Kedah or Kelantan – Cleopatra would be entitled to a pension, thus securing the future of her kids.
As cheekily suggested, the entry of 31-year-old Cleopatra into the party was being celebrated by the turbaned males in PAS.
This poses the question if Siti Kasim’s joining PAS would generate a similar reception.
Safe to say, it would be highly unlikely for it can be imagined that the vocal human rights activist would swear “over my dead body”! – June 3, 2025
