"Where Is Dr Mahathir?" The "Economic Advisor" To The Four Conservative PAS-ruled States?
16 Mar 2024 • 1:00 PM MYT
JK Joseph
Repentant ex-banker who believes in truth, compassion and some humour
His ill health notwithstanding, the normally ebullient Dr Mahathir has been rather quiet on his role as “advisor” to SG4 - the four Perikatan Nasional (PAS)-ruled states. Why? Credit Image: Malay Mail
When two time ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was unveiled amidst much fanfare as the special “advisor” to the four PAS-ruled states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis last year, there was a real buzz in the country with some beginning to believe that potentially something special could happen.
But while the opposition PAS-led state governments were never really expected to ditch their brand of religious conservatism, no doubt, many would have asked - was Hadi Awang’s Islamist party finally ready to embrace progress and be more open for the sake of the economic well-being of the people there?
Incidentally, the 98yo Dr Mahathir who was roped in to offer his advice and guidance on the governance and economic aspects of the four states was also expected to help usher in investments from countries such as Japan and Korea. However, he did mention that the four states had to be business-friendly (read: more open) to meet the needs of investors.
In fact, there was genuine optimism that with the ex-PM’s “midas touch”, economically backward states such as Kelantan and Perlis could finally see an upturn in fortune; similar to how he had earlier worked his magic on this country in the eighties by steering it into a new era of industrialization.
But barely six months down the road from the announcement, nothing much seems to have changed. In fact, if anything, things appear to have regressed and Dr Mahathir also seemed to have become conspicuously absent!
One evidence of this was the closure of the last gaming outlet in Perlis recently. Not that it meant much in actual economic terms, but if anything, wasn't it symbolic of what the PAS-ruled government’s actual priorities were?
For context, last week a local news website had reported that the northern state of Perlis was “celebrating” its success by becoming the fourth PAS-ruled state (after Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu) to ban gambling with the shutdown of its last betting 4D outlet.
In fact, such was the perceived magnitude of the “achievement” that it even prompted its ecstatic Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli to declare that it was the perfect “Ramadan blessing” for the small state which incidentally was only about 57 km southwest of the bustling Thai city of Hat Yai, a popular tourist destination, where, of course - thanks to minimal “restrictions” - tourism was booming!
Furthermore, an assemblyman from the state’s ruling Perikatan Nasional coalition went on to point out that gambling activities brought more harm than good and added that the decision to discontinue renewal of licences for gambling premises was to ensure that the people of various religions and races in the state can live harmoniously and prosperously.
While admittedly, the intention seemed good and harmless enough, especially from the point of view of Muslims in the state, won’t others have interpreted that as yet another “nail in the coffin” for the legitimate rights of non-Muslims?
Then, last July, flamboyant Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had reportedly assured non-Muslims that their “lifestyles” would not change under a Perikatan Nasional (PN) government that includes PAS.
Appearing as a guest in the popular Keluar Sekejap podcast episode hosted by ex-Umno stalwarts Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan, Sanusi had stressed that his Islamist party had no issues with how people live their lives, as long as it did not violate the shariah law.
However, when the topic turned to gambling, the PAS national election director conceded that it was also banned in his state but quickly added that it has never been a problem there; moreover, according to him, gambling was not part of Chinese culture (lifestyle), though he did not back up his claim with any evidence.
Meanwhile, in Terengganu, another PAS-ruled state, the Star had reported back in Dec 2022 that local authorities there actually have the discretion to enforce the ban on unisex hair salons run by non-Muslims; apparently, this was in line with the state government’s stance on prohibiting hair salons from providing services to both men and women within the same premises.
But then again, in addition to not being business-friendly, wouldn’t this sort of “minor” prohibitions become the prelude to other bigger prohibitions all which actually impinge on the rights of non-Muslims?
Moreover, to be fair, couldn’t they just bar all Muslims from patronising such salons and allow non-Muslims to observe their own lifestyles? In fact, more seriously, were they now deploying the “backdoor” method of using local council rules to implement syariah law on all and sundry?
Worse still, in case some are still not aware, in nearby Kelantan, cinemas can only be opened subject to syariah law. Perhaps, that should explain why there hasn’t been any cinemas there for decades!
As for Pahang, where PAS also has a significant presence, what would happen if the “green wave” was to eventually swallow up the giant state? Imagine, the fate of Genting Highlands and its casinos - as well as all the other revenue-generating “hedonistic” attractions there - in the event they were declared by some high ranking ulamak as being not syariah-compliant?
Of course, talking of syariah law and looking at the disturbing chain of events in the country many may wonder whether some of the PAS-ruled states were slowly but surely inching towards becoming like neighbouring Brunei where even non-Muslims/tourists are subjected to syariah-inspired laws! (Read all about it here)
Ironically, other prominent Muslim-majority countries, including those in the Middle-east (the birthplace of Islam) are now “opening up” and are embracing rapid modernisation knowing well that the world's economic landscape is rapidly changing and becoming increasingly competitive. So, considering all that, isn't it strange that what used to be a moderate, progressive Malaysia now seems to be sliding backwards - thanks to misplaced priorities?
Indeed, if even touching a can of beer is considered taboo how is the country going to project a business-friendly image to tourists and foreign investors? Bluntly put, it is tantamount to economic suicide!
In closing, as an observer once put it - will spending more time, money and energy discussing and enacting religious laws, at the expense of the country’s economy, generate any revenue to feed the people? Shouldn't the influx of more tourists and the inflow of more foreign direct investments into the country be accorded priority?
So, perhaps, there is a reason after all, why Dr Mahathir is seldom seen these days whenever anyone mentions the four opposition-controlled conservative states?
When two time ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was unveiled amidst much fanfare as the special “advisor” to the four PAS-ruled states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis last year, there was a real buzz in the country with some beginning to believe that potentially something special could happen.
But while the opposition PAS-led state governments were never really expected to ditch their brand of religious conservatism, no doubt, many would have asked - was Hadi Awang’s Islamist party finally ready to embrace progress and be more open for the sake of the economic well-being of the people there?
Incidentally, the 98yo Dr Mahathir who was roped in to offer his advice and guidance on the governance and economic aspects of the four states was also expected to help usher in investments from countries such as Japan and Korea. However, he did mention that the four states had to be business-friendly (read: more open) to meet the needs of investors.
In fact, there was genuine optimism that with the ex-PM’s “midas touch”, economically backward states such as Kelantan and Perlis could finally see an upturn in fortune; similar to how he had earlier worked his magic on this country in the eighties by steering it into a new era of industrialization.
But barely six months down the road from the announcement, nothing much seems to have changed. In fact, if anything, things appear to have regressed and Dr Mahathir also seemed to have become conspicuously absent!
One evidence of this was the closure of the last gaming outlet in Perlis recently. Not that it meant much in actual economic terms, but if anything, wasn't it symbolic of what the PAS-ruled government’s actual priorities were?
For context, last week a local news website had reported that the northern state of Perlis was “celebrating” its success by becoming the fourth PAS-ruled state (after Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu) to ban gambling with the shutdown of its last betting 4D outlet.
In fact, such was the perceived magnitude of the “achievement” that it even prompted its ecstatic Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli to declare that it was the perfect “Ramadan blessing” for the small state which incidentally was only about 57 km southwest of the bustling Thai city of Hat Yai, a popular tourist destination, where, of course - thanks to minimal “restrictions” - tourism was booming!
Furthermore, an assemblyman from the state’s ruling Perikatan Nasional coalition went on to point out that gambling activities brought more harm than good and added that the decision to discontinue renewal of licences for gambling premises was to ensure that the people of various religions and races in the state can live harmoniously and prosperously.
While admittedly, the intention seemed good and harmless enough, especially from the point of view of Muslims in the state, won’t others have interpreted that as yet another “nail in the coffin” for the legitimate rights of non-Muslims?
Then, last July, flamboyant Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had reportedly assured non-Muslims that their “lifestyles” would not change under a Perikatan Nasional (PN) government that includes PAS.
Appearing as a guest in the popular Keluar Sekejap podcast episode hosted by ex-Umno stalwarts Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan, Sanusi had stressed that his Islamist party had no issues with how people live their lives, as long as it did not violate the shariah law.
However, when the topic turned to gambling, the PAS national election director conceded that it was also banned in his state but quickly added that it has never been a problem there; moreover, according to him, gambling was not part of Chinese culture (lifestyle), though he did not back up his claim with any evidence.
Meanwhile, in Terengganu, another PAS-ruled state, the Star had reported back in Dec 2022 that local authorities there actually have the discretion to enforce the ban on unisex hair salons run by non-Muslims; apparently, this was in line with the state government’s stance on prohibiting hair salons from providing services to both men and women within the same premises.
But then again, in addition to not being business-friendly, wouldn’t this sort of “minor” prohibitions become the prelude to other bigger prohibitions all which actually impinge on the rights of non-Muslims?
Moreover, to be fair, couldn’t they just bar all Muslims from patronising such salons and allow non-Muslims to observe their own lifestyles? In fact, more seriously, were they now deploying the “backdoor” method of using local council rules to implement syariah law on all and sundry?
Worse still, in case some are still not aware, in nearby Kelantan, cinemas can only be opened subject to syariah law. Perhaps, that should explain why there hasn’t been any cinemas there for decades!
As for Pahang, where PAS also has a significant presence, what would happen if the “green wave” was to eventually swallow up the giant state? Imagine, the fate of Genting Highlands and its casinos - as well as all the other revenue-generating “hedonistic” attractions there - in the event they were declared by some high ranking ulamak as being not syariah-compliant?
Of course, talking of syariah law and looking at the disturbing chain of events in the country many may wonder whether some of the PAS-ruled states were slowly but surely inching towards becoming like neighbouring Brunei where even non-Muslims/tourists are subjected to syariah-inspired laws! (Read all about it here)
Ironically, other prominent Muslim-majority countries, including those in the Middle-east (the birthplace of Islam) are now “opening up” and are embracing rapid modernisation knowing well that the world's economic landscape is rapidly changing and becoming increasingly competitive. So, considering all that, isn't it strange that what used to be a moderate, progressive Malaysia now seems to be sliding backwards - thanks to misplaced priorities?
Indeed, if even touching a can of beer is considered taboo how is the country going to project a business-friendly image to tourists and foreign investors? Bluntly put, it is tantamount to economic suicide!
In closing, as an observer once put it - will spending more time, money and energy discussing and enacting religious laws, at the expense of the country’s economy, generate any revenue to feed the people? Shouldn't the influx of more tourists and the inflow of more foreign direct investments into the country be accorded priority?
So, perhaps, there is a reason after all, why Dr Mahathir is seldom seen these days whenever anyone mentions the four opposition-controlled conservative states?
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