Amanah can provide a 'softer' milder alternative to Pas - Experts
SHAH ALAM - Amanah may provide a milder alternative to the more hardcore conservative Pas, which could possibly appeal to Selangor's non-Malay and more moderate Muslim Malays.
According to International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) political analyst Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri, Amanah has the potential to present an alternative version of Islam in politics but somehow it has not truly reached the masses yet.
"Politically I don't think Amanah is a burden to the unity government, because they have not made any major mistakes.
"In terms of in Selangor, I think the party is safe, more so due to their collaboration within Pakatan Harapan (PH).
" I just think that the party needs to do more in terms of convincing the people pf the party's values," Syaza told Sinar Daily.
She explained that Pas campaigns through a certain interpretation of Islam in politics, while Amanah has a different value-based viewpoint.
"This is actually a good thing because some folks are uncomfortable with Pas's version of hardcore Islamic campaigning, Amanah's version looks to be more academic, but this could also not be in their favour because it might be difficult for the general public to fully comprehend," she said.
Syaza said it would be great for Amanah to simplify what they stand for while maintaning Islamic ideals.
Meanwhile, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Political Science Professor Datuk Dr Jayum Anak Jawan stated that Amanah is a 'softer' version of Pas.
"Selangor is a multi-ethnic state with a Malay majority and a sizable non-Malay voter base.
"In mixed constitutiences, Amanah may provide the alternative to the more conservative Pas, and perhaps be more likeable among the non Malay, non hardcore religious groups in the state," Jayun told to Sinar Daily.
However Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) Professor Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin was of the opinion that Amanah was a weak party, because it is the creation of DAP to replace Pas in the PH coalition.
"I am of the opinion that all Malay candidates from Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional and Amanah will be defeated by PN, some by a large majority and some by a small one.
"Amanah is viewed as very weak now because it is a DAP created party, replacing Pas in Pakatan Rakyat.
"Now voters dont see it as a relevant party because Pas and Bersatu are now together, and Umno has replaced Amanah as a major Malay component in PH," Shamsul said.
As for Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun, he noted that Selangor, with its urban and suburban moderately religious Malay support base, would provide Amanah with the safest seats.
He said this was because a growing percentage of Malay voters have migrated to a more conservative and religious end of the political spectrum Ei Sun elaborated.
"As testified by the stellar performance of Pas in the last general election, it remains to be seen if Amanah could replicate its previous impressive results in Selangor," Ei Sun said.
