IT would be rather mean to suggest that Pas has sold its soul in its pursuit of political goals. Nevertheless, it would not be too off the mark to suggest that it has compromised its raison d'etre in politics, which is the setting up of a theocratic state.
At least for now, it eschews being overtly religious in the public sphere, perhaps leaving the brimstone and fire to party meetings.
Perhaps it is the case of the end justifying the means -- Pas 2.0 in the 21st century has surprisingly adopted pragmatism beyond what was expected a couple of decades ago when its leaders declared an edict of apostasy against Umno for working with "infidels" via Barisan Nasional (BN).
Present-day Pas seems more at ease moving with the flow of realpolitik -- it is more likely to link arms with its infidels in DAP, for instance, than to sit at the same table with fellow Muslims from Umno.
This rather amphibious political duality -- the pursuit of an Islamic state and yet in bed with DAP whose leader suggests that it would be over his dead body for it to happen -- is almost gravity defying in its ability to adapt and prosper.
For its leader, it is a rather amazing political dexterity, and for, its supporters, the ability to suppress idealism for political exigency.
This political high-wire act began in earnest perhaps four elections ago, when it rode the wave of reformasi following the sacking and arrest of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Such pragmatism has been fruitful these past few elections, but in the last polls, it emerged poorer among the Pakatan trio that included DAP and PKR. In the battle of who rules the roost in Pakatan, it came out short against DAP.
While DAP, for instance, galvanised Chinese voters to overwhelmingly vote against returning BN, Pas seemed to have lost what it might have cherished the most -- its Islamic credentials. Suddenly, its dalliance with Pakatan turned it into just another political party.
Its heavenly pursuit compromised by its earthly desires?
Among many Malay Muslims, Pas is a sort of fallback party -- if one is a Muslim, one would work towards the advancement of Islam. While Umno was born out of nationalism, Pas professed Islam to be its reason for being.
Over the years, however, Umno has embellished its Islamic credentials -- it now works on Agama, Bangsa dan Negara or Islam, Malay/Bumiputera and Malaysia.
This brand of Umno politics is anchored to Islam, yet still pursuing development and progress of the ummah. This has proven to be effective in getting Malay and Malaysian support.
Pas' previous dogmatic religious stance made it rather inaccessible to non-Muslims, but recent-day pragmatism, especially starting with the general election of 1999, saw Pas warming up to other political parties, including to seemingly obvious incompatibles.
It began to warm up to PKR initially, and later with DAP. Its liaison with DAP is as unlikely as it is natural, especially with the common enemy of Umno and BN. But its dalliance with Pakatan is not without self-inflicted wounds.
There have been uneasiness among some members, especially when it switched its religious hat, keeping its hardcore politics in its back pocket, for one that is more appealing to the public.
Its on again-off again stand on the use of the word "Allah" for non-Muslims is also causing concern to some members.
In the last party election, it seemed that political exigency, or the prospect of Putrajaya, saw the ulamas pushed to the back for another group that seemed more cut from the political cloth.
These politicians have been described by many names, including the professionals, presumably as opposed to the theologians; the Erdogans, after Turkey's prime minister; and Anwarinas, for their seeming affinity to Anwar.
At the end of this month, Pas will have yet another party election. By the reports going around, it is seen by some to be something like a referendum of its recent political pragmatism over its religious core.
The proxy battle would be for the post of deputy president where incumbent Mohamad Sabu, representing the professionals' corner, is up against Mohd Nik Amar from the ulama' corner.
The ulama are said to be trying to recapture Pas' soul.
Read more: Pas pays price for political exigency - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/pas-pays-price-for-political-exigency-1.399136#ixzz2kUPsMhMU
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