Re: [A-List] Malaysia: Parti Islam SeMalaysia

["Tariq Mahmood" <zaogir@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Sabri,

I am not really more competent to comment on what is the real situation in
Malaysia as though nearer than many of you to that country but still I am a
few thousand miles from it. And we do not have direct information about
things in Malaysia any more that you do.

However, my general impression is that Malaysia is rather different from
Turkey in some ways. In Malaysia there are no such laws that forbid
formation of an Islamic government. Democracy is more prevalent than in
Turkey. Malaysians are numerically not as predominantly Muslims as Turks.
Though the adherence of common Muslims especially the rural folks in both
the countries is equally strong with the faith.

While in Turkey the Islamic parties have to avoid arousing the wrath of the
Kemalist military, the Malaysians on the other hand have to take the almost
half of non-Muslim population into consideration.

Virulent rhetorics no where works. The immediate and material needs of the
people need to be addressed to seek their votes. PAS need not tone down
theocratic rhetorics. Islam does not prescribe theocratic polity. An Islamic
system if it is in accordance with its true teachings has to be democratic
in nature and form. It also accommodates non-Muslims with equal ease as in
case of Muslims.

Islamic political parties in all countries are maintaining some form of
linkages with each other. They get inspirations from the scholars in each
country. Like Jamaat Islami of Pakistan and Akhwan-e-Muslimin of Egypt are
mutually influenced by the teachings of Abul Aala Maudoodi and Syed Qutab.

Nevertheless Islamic groups all over have toned down their programmes. This
is mainly for the pressure from national regimes who are greatly pressured
by the US lately. Again Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has to learn a great deal
from Erbakan before him. He must not repeat where Erbakan went wrong.

Changing of strategies is always resorted to, to overcome immediate
obstacles while keeping the sights straight. Besides responding to the
demands of adversaries these parties have also to be honest with their
voters and try to impliment their professed manifestoes.

If PAS is learning lessons and giving second though to their strategy I feel
that will take them closer to their goal.

Warm regards,

Tariq
+++++++++++++++++++++

----- Original Message -----
From: "Sabri Oncu" <soncu@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "ALIST" <a-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, December 06, 2002 11:27 AM
Subject: [A-List] Malaysia: Parti Islam SeMalaysia


 Can someone familiar with Malaysia comment on this? Maybe Tariq?

 Tariq, you are closer to Malaysia than most of us. Any ideas, comments?


 Best

Sabri
  ++++++++++++++

 The Strait Times - December 5, 2002

 PAS gets tips from Turkey on how to win elections

 KL opposition learns it needs to talk less about setting up an Islamic
state and talk more about graft and the economy

 By Brendan Pereira

 MALAYSIA CORRESPONDENT

 KUALA LUMPUR - If Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) drops its affection for
fiery verse and conceals its theocratic leanings in the run-up to the next
general election, the changes could be the result of a recent visit by its
leaders to Turkey.

 A delegation from the conservative party visited Istanbul on a two-fold
mission to congratulate Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the victory of his
Justice and Development Party in the polls and to find out how the Islamic
party had won over an electorate in a secular nation.

 The PAS team came away with loads of election material and a tall order to
follow.

 It would have to dump threatening rhetoric, focus on earthy
 issues such as corruption and the economy, and talk less about setting up a
theocratic Islamic state.

 A senior PAS official told The Straits Times: "The victory in Turkey has
really inspired us. We believe that we can adopt many of the strategies used
by Mr Erdogan and his colleagues."

 "But the key issue for PAS is to convince some of our leaders and our
supporters that a change in style does not mean that we are abandoning our
core beliefs."

 On Nov 3, the Justice and Development Party won 34 per cent of the Turkish
vote, a stunning victory for an Islamic movement in a country where
secularism is entrenched and guarded by the military.

 But unlike his predecessors in other Islamic parties, Mr
 Erdogan's campaign was marked by moderation.

 He spoke about the need to feed the poor, create jobs and tackle
corruption - and he skirted religious issues.

 When he was asked whether his wife would wear tudung at public functions,
he said he would not take her along. This approach found favour with many
Turkish people.

 PAS vice-president Mustafa Ali, who led the delegation, says he was
impressed with the organisation and commitment of Mr Erdogan's party.

 But he ruled out masking his party's fundamentalist agenda, saying it had
to be honest with the electorate: "In Turkey, politicians cannot use the
word Islam, but it is different here.

We have to be direct with the people."

 Still, he said the party should tone down its rhetoric and focus on
broad-based issues that would appeal to all Malaysians, not just Muslims.

 "We are trying to change but it will not happen overnight. We know that
only if we get the support from non-Muslims can we govern Malaysia one day."

 The PAS leader said an important lesson gleaned from the Turkish election
was the importance of having a charismatic leader who could attract support
from all segments of society. Mr Erdogan had been the focal point of his
party's campaign.

 His efficient performance as Instanbul's mayor and clean image drew support
even from those who feared that the rise of an Islamic party could threaten
the future of a secular Turkey.

 Said Datuk Mustafa: "To me that is the key. To have a charismatic leader
who is the focal point of the campaign that people from other races and
religions can respect."

 And did PAS have such a candidate?

 "No, not yet," he replied.

 The conservative Islamic party made significant gains in the 1999 general
elections, but non-Muslims continue to be suspicious of its Islamic-state
agenda.