Prayer Alert (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

PAS vision of an Islamic State

Description: FYI No. 4 - Jul 10, 2003 (Last updated: Mar 11, 2004)

NECF Malaysia "For Your Intercession" No. 4 - July 10, 2003 www.necf.org.my

(Last update: Mar 11, 2003)

PAS vision of an Islamic State

A BRIEF REPORT:

In 1951, the ulamas (Muslim scholars) met in Muar, Johor to discuss and exchange views on the promotion of religion with a concentration on education. It turned out to be the birthplace of what is now known as Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS). Subsequently in the 1955 federal election, PAS won one seat while the Alliance Party (Barisan Nasional) took the rest.

In order to win votes, PAS capitalized on the conservatism of rural Malays through Islam and soon it gained a foothold. It started as an Islamic party that said, "Vote for us because we are Muslims." Those who were unable to cope with the fast pace of developmental change were intrigued by the party's vision of an Islamic state.

PAS won the state of Kelantan in the 1990 general election, followed by the enactment of Syariah Criminal Offenses in November 1993. Winning control of both Kelantan & Terengganu state governments in the November 1999 general election made PAS the powerful force in Malay politics, making inroads into Kedah and other Malay-dominated seats throughout the peninsula. As of year 2000, PAS occupied 27 seats in the Parliament with 98 state assemblymen.

"We are not just limiting our struggle to Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan. We want to take over the country from the ruling Barisan Nasional," said the acting President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (Sept 8 2002, Sunday Star). He further indicated that the party's influence was spreading in Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Malacca.

Despite the opposition from various sectors, PAS-dominated State Legislative Assembly passed the Syariah Criminal Offenses Enactment in Terengganu on July 8th 2002. Datuk Seri Hadi Awang cited Saudi Arabia and Sudan as countries with safe and peaceful societies because of implementation of the syariah criminal laws (The positions on the Human Development Index for these two countries were 71st and 139th respectively as compared to Malaysia's position, 59th ).

Continuing its goal to create an ideal Islamic state, many aspects of Malay culture in both Kelantan and Terengganu have been banned as those were deemed un-islamic. Terengganu banned traditional arts performances, modern entertainment and gambling outlets of which the state government claimed to have reduced criminal and vice activities (May 2003, New Straits Times). Kota Baru Municipal Council banned posters of women with no tudung or Islamic headdress and implemented a dress code to curb immorality. More recently, Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat advised students to wear Islamic attire (e.g. robes, skullcaps and turban) to discourage crime against women. He said that "those who wear Islamic attire would not womanise, go to nightclubs or do 'other sinful things;' and females in robes could also avoid being raped" (Star Online, July 6 2003).

The party's tendency to behave in a dogmatic and uncompromising manner was rather alarming. An article "Is Any Opposition Better Than No Opposition" in Aliran Monthly (November 2002) warned of the threat of religious authoritarianism. The writer was also concerned that "PAS could possibly transform the political landscape and the effects that this would have on democracy, universal suffrage and equal citizenship."

Recently, Hadi Awang said that it would implement its version of an Islamic state if it comes to power even though non-Muslims are unlikely to support its goals. The Islamic blueprint of PAS or Memorandum PAS kepada Rakyat Malaysia, approved by the conservative Dewan Ulama, as reported by The Star (June 29, 2003) alerts us to the fact the next general election will be the critical decision-time for Malaysians. The party will focus on winning the votes of Malay Muslims, who make up 53% of the population (Population & Housing Census of Malaysia, 2000).

Some of the document's key features as reported are

  • The Syariah will supersede the Federal Constitution;

  • The Westminster parliamentary system will remain;

  • Non-Muslims will remain under the present penal code;

  • Non-Muslims will not be classified as dhimmi;

  • All Muslims will be subject to hudud law;

  • The Prime Minister has to be a Muslim;

  • Other Cabinet posts are open to non-Muslims, including women.

PAS' insistence on its version of an Islamic state has caused the DAP to quit the four-party opposition alliance (September 2001). Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) recently indicated its intention to reconsider its tie with PAS if the latter refused to back down on its aim of setting up an Islamic state (Star Online, July 7 2003).

NEWS UPDATE:

  1. According to the latest report, PAS has a two-tier strategy for the next general election, considering the nation's demographic realities: (1) Fight for Islam in states where "citizens clamor for it;" (2) for democracy at the federal level (July 31, 2003 The Straits Times Interactive)

  2. PAS’ two separate election manifestos: (1) for the Malay-majority states of Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu, focusing on the setting up of an Islamic state; (2) for other states catering to the interests of non-Malays at the Federal level which was silent on Islamic state (Deputy Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin, Aug 15 2003 New Straits Times). Such move has been greatly criticized by many for being hypocritical and attempting to deceive the public. Still, others may think that it is practical. A writer wrote, "Even if Pas does not have majority Malay support now, the party can gain incremental support with its Islamic rhetoric, especially as Muslims are on the defensive, somewhat lost and confused, in an unfriendly and threatening world." (Aug 24 2003 New Straits Times). Meanwhile, it was reported that the Kota Baru Municipal Council was on the look out for youths with "improper hairstyles" and offered free "decent" haircut (Aug 23 2003)

  3. Nov. 12: PAS unveiled its 53-page blueprint "Negara Islam" (English version – 37-page "The Islamic State Document") today. The document contains PAS' programme to turn Malaysia into an Orthodox Islamic state if it wins the people's mandate in the coming General Election. However, it has been met with strong opposition from various groups, including its allies – Parti Keadilan Nasional (Keadilan) and Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM). While many are outraged by its violation of Federal Constitution, others believe it to be merely the party’s political ploy.

The Islamic state and Government as envisaged by Pas guarantees the following as stated by Dato’ Seri Tuan Guru Haji Hadi Awang:
  • That the document on Islamic State continues to advocate the provisions as enshrined by the Federal Constitution with appropriate amendments as and when deemed necessary.
  • That the rights and freedom of the entire citizenry or rakyat are fully secured and guaranteed by the State.
  • That the right and freedom of each citizen and community to practice and express their unique cultural and traditional heritage are secured by the state.
  • There will no compulsion in matter of religious conversion to Islam.
  • That the dual system of laws and judiciary will maintain its current status-quo.
  • That there will not be discrimination based on religious, racial and gender. Opportunities and entitlement will be merit- and principle-based.
  • The democratic rights of each individual in the Islamic State is fully guranteed by the Federal Constitution.
  • That every ethnic grouping irregardless of ethnicity is entitled to elect and be elected in based on merits into the various position of responsibilty be it in the executive, judiciary and legislative domains.
  • That the right to education and mother-tongue education is secured by the State.
  • That the rights of women in regard to education, job-commercial enterprises and the right to human dignity are secured and safeguarded by the Constitution of the State.

Regardless the above assurance, the key features of an Islamic State are disheartening. The blueprint clearly reiterates the supremacy of syariah law. It states that "the determining characteristics of an Islamic state are its total commitment and will to see that syariah is codified into the law of the land" as reported by the Star. It also says, "Allah has ordained the leaders of Islamic society to implement what He has revealed, and prohibits them to take recourse to other sources of law." Only a Muslim can be Prime Minister (the Cabinet can include non-Muslims).The blueprint also indicates that the power to amend the Federal Constitution for the implementation of an Islamic state lies solely in the hands of religious leaders (ulamas). Non-Muslims are excluded in the interpretation of the law of the land for ulama is the final interpreter of laws. How can there be democracy when only ulama or religious leader has the final say on any law? What is the safeguard for non-Muslims if the Federal Constitution can be amended by the ulamas as and when it is deemed necessary?

4.  Mar 11, 04: PAS president has announced that the Constitution would be amended to ensure only Muslim could be Prime Minister if it were to be power. Recently he pressed Barisan Nasional for an official declaration on amending the Constitution to make Islamic law supreme in the country.  (NST)

SUGGESTED PRAYER POINTS:

  • Our present government will not be tempted to "out-Islam" PAS in order to win the Malay votes but that they will continue to take a moderate stand and to seek to maintain a democratic and pluralistic society.
  • For more moderate leaders to rise from within PAS and to have the courage to voice their opinions and to defend the constitutional laws as the supreme law of the land;
  • That the government will be able to help grass-root level Muslims, especially those in the rural areas, to be more broadminded, moderate and be made aware of the ill consequences of extremism.
  • God to protect our nation from extremism, and to prevent those who use political means/institutions for their own agenda from gaining ground in support.
  • For wisdom, integrity and courage for our judges to observe and exercise on universally accepted principles of justice and human rights, and the provisions of religious freedom in the Federal Constitution.
  • For all Malaysians to be united in upholding the constitutional rights and freedom to worship, to exercise their rights to vote and discernment to support good and righteous leaders who will continue to lead our nation to progress and liberty.
  • Church to be spiritually "in shape" to earnestly contend for the faith (1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3), and believing that God is great (Jude 24-25). Let our conduct be a living testimony (Phil. 1:27) and continue to boldly reach out in love, with humility, gentleness and patience.



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