Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker today outlined several strategies for PAS to woo Chinese and Indian voters, including doing away with religious and political rhetoric.
He said PAS should focus on issues affecting the public instead of harping on Malay supremacy and political Islam, which he said terrified the non-Malay-Muslim electorate.
He said Indian and Chinese voters tended to assess a party based on how it resolves issues related to the economy, education, cost of living and job opportunities.
“Make PAS synonymous with a party that offers practical solutions to the nation instead of one known for moral policing,” he said in a Facebook post.
PAS should also approach the Chinese and Indian communities sincerely, instead of viewing them through a political lens, he said.
Ti said PAS should take part in cultural activities and multicultural forums, visit places of worship, and empower their non-Muslim leaders in the supporters wing.
“Don’t just make an appearance when elections are around the corner,” he said, adding that PAS should publicly back vernacular schools as well.
Ti was reported as saying yesterday that it would be difficult for the Indian and Chinese communities to accept PAS unless the Islamic party changed its conservative image.
His remarks today followed an invite by PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man for MCA and MIC to join Perikatan Nasional, after several MIC and MCA state chapters pushed their parties to leave Barisan Nasional due to discontent over the lack of government positions.
Ti said PAS should champion a more universal, inclusive and accommodative narrative instead of a dogmatic one.
“PAS should speak as a party that represents all, instead of on behalf of Malay-Muslims,” he added.
The former deputy unity minister also said PAS should tone down its stance on non-Muslim religion and culture.
“Every time PAS fails to compromise or be accommodative, the party rears its ugly head and is perceived to be a judgemental party that rejects diversity.
“And this would definitely scare off the non-Malay voters who would distance themselves from PAS,” he said.
