Six state elections: pressing concerns and undercurrents

FMT:

Six state elections: pressing concerns and undercurrents

The politicisation of Islam is within the domain of our rulers, and the prime minister must advise and seek guidance from them.





The recent six state elections have highlighted several pressing concerns and revealed strong undercurrents within Malaysia’s political landscape.

As a quick recap, here is a summary of some of the more pertinent issues highlighted by various people in the media following the announcement of the results.

In The ‘holy’ name of PAS, FMT reader Ibrahim M Ahmad suggested that PAS’ victories in both the 15th general election (GE15) and the recent state elections have sounded alarm bells for moderate Malays and non-Malays alike.

I must agree that the party’s growing influence hints at a potentially polarised political future. PAS is clearly pushing the limits by openly claiming that their party is the only one sanctioned by the divine, and via various controversial religious pronouncements that have duped many an unsuspecting voter.

Two newly elected non-PAS members of the Kelantan state assembly, both Muslims, recently claimed that Kelantan’s new menteri besar, Nassuruddin Daud, openly pronounced them as being anti-Islam. (The MB has since denied doing so.)

In a similar vein, Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi, was reported by MySinchew, as elucidating the dangerous simplicity of extremism. He explained that once entrenched in the collective consciousness, religious extremism becomes difficult to uproot. Tajuddin abhors PAS and its leaning towards political Islam and the radicalisation of students from a young age all the way to the university level.

He wrote: “The Talibanising of Malaysia under PAS is real. Once it was thought as an impossible scenario, but now it is getting closer each day. The results of the recent state elections illustrate that more grease has been added to Malaysia’s slippery political slope.”

For his part, Liew Ching Tong recently shone the spotlight on a widespread “precarity” stemming from prolonged skewed economic strategies. This inequity, he says, has brewed discontent and disquiet among the masses.

He wrote: “Precarity is the result of decades of lopsided economic policies that failed to lift the wages of ordinary Malaysians while the entire economic structure is stuck in a vicious cycle of low wage, low productivity and low technology adoption. Precarity harms the long-term wellbeing of millions of Malaysians, both when they are working and when they retire in the years to come.”

To that I would add that such persons often find solace in religion. This leads politicians to peddle religious rhetoric and suggest that a religious party, through divine intervention, can resolve the country’s economic woes.

Obviously, the real issue is the economic disparity among the Malays. Mariam Mokhtar, through a series of incisive questions, recently delved into the noticeable wealth chasm among Malays, adding that introspection into its root causes is vital. Are affluence and diligence intertwined, or are there deeper systemic issues at play, she asked.

Central to her lists are the issues of corruption and how Malay politicians have gathered their wealth over the years at the expense of those at the grassroots. Some still continue to be part of the current government despite pending court cases.

And then there is the education dilemma facing the country. A discerning look into the school syllabus reveals an overwhelming emphasis on Islamic religious studies, often overshadowing subjects like English, mathematics, and the sciences.

This disproportionate focus has cultivated a generation that is insular, predominantly monolingual and narrow-minded. The unfortunate outcome is a rise in radicalisation and racial prejudice among the youth.

By the age of 18, these impressionable minds become natural supporters for parties like PAS. Such trends are not just disconcerting; they are harbingers of a turbulent future. If left unaddressed, Malaysia might well tread the path of Pakistan, with our “tahfiz” schools the equivalent of the “madrasahs” of jihadists.

Urgent intervention is vital; else the nation’s youth risk being entrapped in this quagmire.


Role of Rulers

Although the state elections have concluded, the reflections they have catalysed demand immediate action and will indubitably influence the nation’s discourse in the coming years.

Given the way PAS has manipulated Islam in its political endeavours, we must ask whether the party should be allowed to continue carrying “Islam” as part of its name.

The Prime Minister should consider discussing with the Council of Rulers the suitability of any political party using “Islam” as part of its name.

Any party that misrepresents and tarnishes “Islam” for political leverage needs to be held accountable. Deceitful tactics and abrasive language do not align with the true essence of the religion.

The matter is well within the domain of our rulers. The prime minister must advise and seek guidance from them immediately.

Perhaps, a cabinet reshuffle is also in order to genuinely embrace the “Madani” vision, with a focus on transparent governance and combatting the entrenched issue of political corruption among sitting politicians and civil servants.

It is critical to reiterate the significance of education. Our current educational system, with its strong religious leanings, is worrisome. A curriculum that heavily leans towards religious bias is not just limiting, but will misguide the next generation.

Rather than providing them with a comprehensive and balanced education, we risk churning out Malaysian students with a narrow mindset (read, PAS followers).

We owe it to our youth to offer them an education that broadens horizons, encourages critical thinking, and prepares them for a diverse world.