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Free Malaysia Today
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Fielding non-Muslims in Sabah a waste of time for PAS, says analyst
Sabah PAS yesterday said it is open to fielding non-Muslim candidates in the upcoming state election, expected to be held later this year. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : An analyst has dismissed PAS's plan to field non-Muslim candidates in the upcoming Sabah state election, describing it as futile and out of touch with local political dynamics. Tawfik Yaakub, a political analyst at Universiti Malaya, said the decision was a political gamble that could have long-term repercussions for the party. Speaking to FMT, Tawfik said PAS's non-Muslim supporters' wing in Sabah had limited reach, with only some 1,000 members from the Dusun and Chinese communities. 'In my view, PAS is chasing an unrealistic goal – it's a waste of time and a disconnect from reality. 'Politics in Sabah is not like politics in Peninsular Malaysia,' he said. Meanwhile, Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said it would be difficult for PAS to win a seat in Sabah, even with non-Muslim candidates. He also said it was almost certain that Sabahans would not vote for a PAS candidate if the party used its own logo at the polls. 'There's a chance of winning if they use the Perikatan Nasional logo, provided that the voters aren't aware that the candidate is from PAS,' said Mazlan. 'However, their opponents will likely campaign against PAS by pointing out that the candidate is from PAS. If the voters know, they may think twice before choosing the PAS candidate.' National Council of Professors fellow Azmi Hassan previously said that PAS's 'extreme rhetoric' had led to a negative perception of the party in East Malaysia, which it would find difficult to dispel. He also said that parties in Sabah and Sarawak were inclined to prioritise the best interests of their states, particularly regarding their rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. Sabah PAS yesterday said it was open to fielding non-Muslim candidates in the upcoming state election, expected to be held later this year. PAS previously said it would contest at least six of the 73 seats in the Sabah state assembly. Sabah PAS commissioner Aliakbar Gulasan is one of six assemblymen appointed by the state government after the 2020 state election. PAS did not contest any seats in that election.
Free Malaysia Today
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Hishammuddin must take lead, says analyst over calls for reinstatement
Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein previously said he refused to appeal as he was never informed of the reasons for his suspension. PETALING JAYA : Former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein must speak up if he hopes to have his six-year suspension lifted, says a political analyst. Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said calls for Hishammuddin to be reinstated would ring hollow unless he himself does not appeal. 'If Hishammuddin remains silent and doesn't at least express a desire to appeal against his suspension, Umno leaders are under no obligation to accept him back,' he told FMT. Mazlan was commenting on Sembrong Umno's motion urging the party leadership to reinstate its former division chief. Johor Umno chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who officiated the Sembrong division meeting yesterday, pledged to bring the motion to the party's top leadership. 'It's not for the party leadership to come looking for him, Hishammuddin must take the initiative,' said Mazlan. Hishammuddin was suspended from Umno for six years in January 2023. Media reports citing the suspension letter said it was due to a violation of Clause 20.9 of the party's constitution, though no further details were provided. In December last year, calls emerged for Hishammuddin to return to Umno following the Supreme Council's decision to lift the suspension of former Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman. Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported as saying the party was open to accepting Hishammuddin's return, provided he followed Tajuddin's example and filed an appeal. However, Hishammuddin, who is still the MP for Sembrong, said he refused to appeal as he was never informed of the reasons for his suspension. Mazlan saidt the Sembrong division's motion should be seriously considered by the party, as it could likely signal Hishammuddin's willingness to return to active politics. 'He continues to support the government in Parliament and hasn't joined any other party. This shows he remains loyal, much like Tajuddin. 'The motion from Sembrong Umno is relevant and deserves careful attention from the party,' he said, adding that Hishammuddin, seen as a future leader, could help strengthen the party in Johor. Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Hishammuddin's experience could help boost grassroots support for Umno ahead of the 16th general election, even if he is not vocal as former information chief Shahril Hamdan, who was also suspended, or former youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who was expelled. 'Reinstating suspended or expelled figures can help strengthen the party, as these individuals have their own grassroots support and loyal followers,' Azmi said.
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Barring members under 5 years from polls could kill PKR, say analysts
PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli says limiting candidacies to members who have been in the party for a certain number of years would improve party discipline and ensure loyalty. PETALING JAYA : PKR runs the risk of losing capable new leaders if the party prohibits members of less than five years standing from contesting in its internal polls, say political analysts. Mazlan Ali. Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Syahruddin Awang Ahmad said PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli's proposal would prevent younger Malaysians from using the party as a platform to bring meaningful change to the country. They said the proposal could result in stagnation within PKR's leadership, hindering the party's ability to cultivate and advance fresh, talented leaders. 'Rafizi's idea could kill off PKR and prevent it from having a dynamic leadership in the future,' Mazlan told FMT. Syahruddin said the proposed requirement would indirectly hinder the entry of fresh talent capable of bringing new ideas and perspectives to the party. Syahruddin Awang Ahmad 'This risks causing a sort of 'brain drain', with talented individuals choosing to join other parties that offer a faster path (to leadership), undermining PKR's efforts to remain relevant and dynamic in the political landscape,' he said. Rafizi had called for party rules to be amended to prevent candidates with less than five years' standing from contesting for positions, saying the move would improve party discipline and ensure loyalty. The PKR deputy president said the current system allowed newcomers to jump straight into leadership roles, sometimes with the approval of the party president, when they should 'start from the bottom'. Sungai Buloh MP R Ramanan, a former MIC treasurer-general, joined PKR in 2020 after quitting the Indian-based party six years earlier. Ramanan is vying for the post of vice-president at this year's party polls, scheduled to be held on Friday. Mazlan said a two-year period would be generally sufficient to determine if a member was loyal and committed to the party, adding that there was no need to be too restrictive. He said the requirement could vary according to the seniority of the position in the party, with a five-year prohibition proposed for those gunning to be vice-president for example. 'For posts at the grassroots level, there shouldn't be a requirement for a candidate to have been a member for five years. Maybe just a year or less to encourage the emergence of new leaders. 'But for the PKR president's post, perhaps a 10-year membership requirement followed by seven years for the deputy presidency, and so on.'
Free Malaysia Today
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Opting out of debate looks bad for Nurul Izzah, says analyst
Rafizi Ramli appears eager to take part in a debate, but Nurul Izzah Anwar thinks their focus should be on reducing tensions within PKR and reaching out to party delegates. PETALING JAYA : Nurul Izzah Anwar should take up the challenge to a public debate with Rafizi Ramli or she would be perceived as not daring to take on her rival, says an analyst. Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said Nurul Izzah should use the debate as a platform to explore issues afflicting PKR and share her ideas for the party to progress. 'I think it's to Nurul Izzah's detriment to turn down the debate. It might be interpreted by many quarters as her not daring to face Rafizi on such a platform. 'It does not look good because then there will be the perception that she had given up in this 'first round' of their battle,' he told FMT. Mazlan said public debates for contestants vying for the PKR deputy presidency should be a norm, especially for a party that often touts debates as a healthy political culture. 'This party election is crucial to PKR's continuity. The party's grassroots need to know the views of their potential leaders as well as what they can offer the party if elected. 'This culture (of debates) is widespread in developed countries in Europe, and even the US and Australia,' he said. Last night, Nurul Izzah dismissed calls for a public debate with Rafizi, saying their focus should be on reducing tensions within PKR and reaching out to party delegates. However, Rafizi was eager to take part in the debate, saying this would allow PKR delegates and the public to judge for themselves who would be better suited for the post. Akademi Nusantara's Azmi Hassan believed that Nurul Izzah knew she would be on the losing end if she were to take part in a debate with Rafizi, who took part in debate championships in his youth representing Malay College Kuala Kangsar. AdChoices ADVERTISING 'Rafizi appears confident that he would beat Nurul Izzah (in a debate). Nurul Izzah knows she has limited experience (in debating), so agreeing to it would yield more negative effects for her,' he said. Rafizi and Nurul Izzah are in a one-on-one contest for the PKR deputy presidency, which Rafizi won in the 2022 party elections. Nurul Izzah, who did not contest then, is currently an appointed party vice-president.
