PAS’s Strategy to Distract from Economic Woes
PETALING JAYA: Analysts predict that Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS) will over time introduce stricter Islamic laws to distract from the poor economic growth of the states it leads.
Tactic to Solidify Support Base
Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said the recent public caning of a man in Terengganu was a "tactic" used by the party to solidify the support of its conservative voter base. "They do not seem to have any ideas on how to develop or strengthen the economy," he told FMT.
PAS States’ Reliance on Federal Funding
A source in the Prime Minister’s Office revealed that all four PAS-led states frequently seek additional federal funds to cover budget deficits. "We receive funding requests from other states too, but there are noticeably more from Kelantan and Terengganu," the aide told FMT.
Economic Concerns
Economist Yeah Kim Leng said PAS-led states rely heavily on natural resources such as timber and land taxes, raising concerns about sustainability and long-term economic viability. "These states mostly operate with financial deficits compared to Sabah, Sarawak and Penang which have surplus budgets," Yeah said.
Diversification of Economies
Yeah said Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis must take steps to diversify their economies by focusing on industrialisation and tourism to generate sustainable revenue. "PAS is likely to maintain its current strategy. Despite suggestions that PAS needs to win over non-Malay voters to expand its base, the party has not moved in that direction," Hisomuddin said.
Conclusion
PAS’s strategy to introduce stricter Islamic laws and promote its image as the principal defender of Malay and Islam may be a way to distract from the economic woes of the states it leads. However, this approach may not be enough to ensure the party’s success in the next general election.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is PAS’s strategy to distract from the poor economic growth of the states it leads?
A: Analysts predict that PAS will introduce stricter Islamic laws to distract from the economic issues.
Q: What is the source of funding for PAS-led states?
A: PAS-led states frequently seek additional federal funds to cover budget deficits.
Q: What are the economic concerns with PAS-led states?
A: These states rely heavily on natural resources such as timber and land taxes, raising concerns about sustainability and long-term economic viability.
Q: How can PAS-led states improve their economies?
A: PAS-led states must diversify their economies by focusing on industrialisation and tourism to generate sustainable revenue.