KUALA LUMPUR – PAS' shift to a more progressive stance seems to be the only stable party in the Pakatan coalition amid its partners' woes, say some analysts.
Two years after the Anwar Ibrahim-led Pakatan Rakyat coalition made waves at the general election, it is Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) that is keeping the opposition ship steady these days, reports Hazlin Hassan.
Anwar's own Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is wobbling and the Chinese-dominated Democratic Action Party (DAP) has come under repeated attacks for allegedly weakening Malay rights, according to a report in the Straits Times.
In contrast, PAS provided credibility to Pakatan in the Allah debate and other Islamic matters at a time when the opposition coalition's integrity was at a low.
No abandoning ship
None of its politicians has been suspected of trying to jump ship, while several PKR leaders have abandoned the party.
And some Malay voters have become suspicious of the DAP due to its strident tones in promoting Chinese and Indian rights.
More significantly, PAS has made a discernible shift in taking a more progressive position on several issues, a move welcomed by non-Muslim supporters.
While a heated debate over the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims has divided the Malay community, PAS has managed to present a united front even though it was divided by a split between progressive and conservative factions on the issue.
MM
24/03/10
Two years after the Anwar Ibrahim-led Pakatan Rakyat coalition made waves at the general election, it is Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) that is keeping the opposition ship steady these days, reports Hazlin Hassan.
Anwar's own Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is wobbling and the Chinese-dominated Democratic Action Party (DAP) has come under repeated attacks for allegedly weakening Malay rights, according to a report in the Straits Times.
In contrast, PAS provided credibility to Pakatan in the Allah debate and other Islamic matters at a time when the opposition coalition's integrity was at a low.
No abandoning ship
None of its politicians has been suspected of trying to jump ship, while several PKR leaders have abandoned the party.
And some Malay voters have become suspicious of the DAP due to its strident tones in promoting Chinese and Indian rights.
More significantly, PAS has made a discernible shift in taking a more progressive position on several issues, a move welcomed by non-Muslim supporters.
While a heated debate over the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims has divided the Malay community, PAS has managed to present a united front even though it was divided by a split between progressive and conservative factions on the issue.
MM
24/03/10
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