FORMER law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has urged PAS to embrace the principles of equality for all Malaysians if it hopes to win the support of non-Malays and lead the federal government. This follows a call by PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who recently highlighted the need for a paradigm shift within PAS Youth, focusing on gaining non-Malay backing.
In a post on X, Zaid expressed his optimism over PAS’ newfound interest in securing non-Malay votes. He noted that major Malay political parties often acted as though they did not require the support of the non-Malay electorate. However, Zaid is of the view that PAS has the opportunity to change that narrative.
“The Federal Constitution has enough fundamental principles for PAS to work on. Equality, freedom and human rights are all consistent with Islam.
The equality principle is central in Islam, so tell non-Malays that PAS subscribes to this and assure them that the party understands the difference between rights and privileges. Only then will Malay hegemony cease to exist.
Zaid added that PAS must position itself as a party that governs for all Malaysians, not just for the Malays.
Only a Malay-Muslim party like PAS, which is big enough and strong, can be generous enough to admit to the non-Malays that hegemony in all shapes and forms has to be abandoned.
Moreover, Zaid also stressed that only a strong and prominent Malay-Muslim party like PAS could be “generous enough” to acknowledge the need to dismantle any form of hegemony. He drew a parallel to the work of former US President Abraham Lincoln, saying that PAS has the potential to reshape the country’s narrative in a similar manner.
“Will this message be too heavy for Tuan Ibrahim to carry? Perhaps, but only courage and the willingness to differentiate itself from UMNO will take them to Putrajaya.
The non-Malay votes are there to be taken. The question is whether PAS wants them or not.
Furthermore, the former minister noted that the non-Malay vote was attainable but questioned whether PAS was genuinely committed to pursuing it. In terms of Malay-Muslim support, Zaid called on PAS to adhere to Islamic principles as outlined in the constitution and not be bogged down by debates over whether the document is secular or Islamic.
Stop worrying about labels, whether the constitution is secular or Islamic.
During PAS’s 70th Muktamar in Temerloh, Pahang, Tuan Ibrahim acknowledged the party’s challenges in gaining traction in non-Malay areas as well as in the southern regions of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. – Sept 12, 2024
