PAS: Lives in denial

Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS) is living in a denial. It wants to contest the same 70 seats it used to in the last General Election, even if it agrees to cooperate with Pakatan Harapan + PPBM (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia).

PAS must remember that it only managed to win substantial electoral seats (for its standard) in the past, largely due to “form” rather than “substance”. The “form” is in fact, the image of PAS in the eyes of multi-racial voters, as it joined hands with other opposition parties.

PAS, which thrives on Islamic politics, has large amount of vote bank (theoretically). This is because, over 60% of Malaysians are Malays and/or Muslims.

However, it has never managed to win large number of federal seats in the past. The most PAS has received is 27 seats (1999). The party won 23 seats in 2008 and 21 seats in 2013.

With regard to state constituency seats, the most seats won by PAS was in 1999 (98 seats). Apart from that, it won 84 seats (2008) and 85 seats (2013).

Note that whenever PAS wins big, it is when PAS cooperates with other opposition parties such as DAP and PKR.

PAS carries little substance in its political trajectory. By jumping on the Islamic bandwagon, the party portrays itself as the holy champion of the religion. However, looking at its track record in economic, trade and social policy formulation, PAS can be construed as an organisation with poor fundamentals.

To put it simply, PAS has no chance of winning big, let alone in retaining all its seats. There’s two options though, cooperate with UMNO/BN or re-negotiate seats with the enlarged opposition coalition.

However, with more parties in the opposition joining the fray (Amanah and PPBM), PAS must let go off some of its seats. DAP and PKR will have to do the same as well, to allow Amanah and PPBM gain some stable contesting opportunities.

PAS needs to realise that non-Malay/non-Muslim voters hold the deciding power in many seats that it has contested in GE13. Without PAS collaborating with Pakatan Harapan + PPBM, the party is sure to lose as it is highly unlikely that non-Muslims will vote for this party that showed its true colour in recent times.

Take the Kota Raja seat for example, where the incumbent is Dr. Siti Mariah from Amanah. She was previously from PAS.

Dr Siti Mariah has a proven track record in the federal constituency and if PAS does contest in the seat in GE14, the Islamic party will unlikely break the Malay/Muslim votes, favouring UMNO/BN.

It is unlikely for the non-Muslims there to vote for PAS. Not a big surprise as PAS is deliberately using Islam implicitly to divide Malaysians.

While Dr. Siti Mariah has a great chance of winning now, the hope may be derailed with PAS moving into the picture.

PAS must realise of its status quo. The best option facing PAS is to join hands with the opposition coalition and to reduce its seats for contest in the next GE. Even if PAS has no substance, at least the “form” as earlier mentioned can save it.

PAS should not succumb to arrogance. Otherwise, PAS will just be a goner.