Category Archives: Islam and Politics

By Zairil Khir Johari  Published in Malaysia Insider 4 October 2014

Secularism and liberalism are not unfamiliar terms in this country, although how Malaysians understand them is a different matter altogether.

A dichotomy

To make matters worse, some are beginning to define these terms in contradistinction to Islamic ideals. Take, for example, remarks made at the 60th PAS Muktamar held in Batu Pahat, Johor last weekend. In his closing speech, the president of Malaysia’s second largest Malay-based party after Umno, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, took an unequivocal stand in differentiating his party’s Islamic struggle from his coalition allies’: “PAS members must understand that there is a difference. PKR is based on pragmatic secularism” while “DAP is based on socialistic secularism”. read more

By Farouk A. Peru Malaysia Insider 3 June 2015

It really fascinates me to see how words acquire different meanings when used in different contexts. In the context of Western socio-political discourse at present, it is “liberal” to be supportive of gay marriages. “Liberal” here has a positive connotation as promoted by their mainstream media although right-wing media portrays it negatively. It is the opposite case in Malaysia though. At home, “liberal” is connotatively portrayed by the mainstream media in a very negative manner. Liberal is a term projecting distaste and derision. To be a ‘liberal’ insinuates that one is a stooge of the West, the perennial enemy of the conservatives. In that sense, Malaysia is like Saudi Arabia. The liberals of Saudi Arabia are thought of in the same manner. read more

By Mat Muzzim

To understand the recent postures of Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia commonly known as PAS) on the issues of Hudud, the usage of Allah and the Selangor Mentri Besar appointment, one needs to understand the historical roles played by the PAS Youth Wing, its legacy and the “resurgence” of Islam in Malaysia.

The PAS Youth Wing as an heir to the present conservative ulama faction has a bearing upon the future direction of PAS’ ideological and political orientation. It is instrumental in applying modern management and marketing practices in designing, producing and popularising Islamic popular culture, merchandise and sermons to the younger generations. read more

BY AHMAD FAROUK MUSA New Mandala 18 November 2012
If there is anything unmistakably clear from the recent muktamar or general assembly of the Islamic Party of Malaysia – PAS – is that despite the acceptance of the concept of tahalluf siyasi or political consensus among the three major components of the opposition front – Pakatan Rakyat – PAS’ ambition in establishing an Islamic State and implementing hudud laws is unwavering, if not more resolute.
It appears rather incongruous that despite the acceptance of Buku Jingga or Orange Book as a comprehensive framework of the opposition front on how to govern the country when they come to power, PAS seems to have a higher agenda – to transform the multiracial and multi-religious country into a full-fledged Islamic state with Islamic laws.
Islamic laws and hudud were never mentioned in Buku Jingga and neither was the establishment of Islamic State. PAS even came out with its own manifesto “Nation of Care and Opportunity”. However this concept of a benevolent state is not well received by many PAS members themselves. Reason being, the so-called Erdoganists in PAS mainly mooted it. Recent spate of debate about the concept of Islamist Democrat – a term popularised by the Erdoganists – between the ulama faction and the young Turks clearly proved that they are considered contaminants in the “pure and pristine” PAS struggle. read more