Why does PAS bypass policy discussions with race rhetoric?

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PAS Leverages Race Rhetoric to Bypass Policy Discussions and Consolidate Power

PAS deliberately sidesteps discussions on policy, development, and social upliftment by repeatedly posing a single question: "Do you want Malay leadership?" This strategy is central to their long-term political approach, which is fundamentally based on Malay-Muslim political consolidation. By focusing on identity politics, PAS aims to deepen national divisions, mobilising support through a narrative that highlights existential threats to the Muslim way of life, particularly by framing the Democratic Action Party (DAP) as such a threat. This tactic allows the party to secure Muslim solidarity and gain political leverage without necessarily needing to fulfil policy promises after elections.
Core Strategy of Malay-Muslim Political Consolidation

The party's overarching strategy revolves around consolidating the political power of the Malay-Muslim community. This is achieved by framing political discourse around ethnic and religious identity, effectively creating an "us versus us" scenario where PAS positions itself as the most ardent defender of Malay interests. This approach bypasses the need to engage with substantive policy debates, focusing instead on rallying a specific demographic through appeals to shared identity and perceived threats.
Deepening Divisions Through Identity Politics

PAS actively employs identity-based politics to exacerbate existing national divisions. Their rhetoric often serves to heighten political pressure and mobilising specific voter segments by emphasizing ethnic and religious solidarity. This is exemplified by efforts to portray the DAP as a significant threat to the Muslim way of life, a tactic that aims to solidify a unified Muslim voting bloc.
Securing Muslim Solidarity and Perceived Threats

A key objective for PAS is to secure and strengthen Muslim solidarity. They achieve this by raising the spectre of external threats, such as the DAP, which they characterise as an existential danger to the Muslim community's values and lifestyle. This narrative allows PAS leaders to gain support under the guise of protecting the community, providing a shield from accountability regarding policy delivery.
Post-Election Continuity of Rhetoric

The party's leadership is able to maintain this cycle of identity-based rhetoric even after elections, regardless of policy outcomes. The support garnered through appeals to Malay-Muslim identity provides a cover that negates the need to deliver on policy promises. Consequently, PAS can continue to repeat its identity-centric messaging, reinforcing the idea that any opposition to their stance is opposition to Malay unity itself, thereby maintaining their political momentum without substantive policy engagement.

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Why does PAS bypass policy discussions with race rhetoric?

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