TEMERLOH, Pahang – In a significant symbolic move, Malaysia’s opposition Islamist party, Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), has amended its constitution to admit non-Muslims as associate members. The proposal was approved during PAS’ annual congress, known as muktamar, held from September 11 to 15.
Secretary-General Takiyuddin Hassan introduced the amendment, which will now allow non-Muslims to join as associate members. Under the new rules, non-Muslim applicants must be Malaysian, at least 18 years old, and profess a religion other than Islam. They must also pledge obedience to the party, though atheists will be excluded.
The move aims to broaden PAS’s appeal and improve its engagement with non-Muslims. The party’s non-Muslim wing, Dewan Himpunan Penyokong PAS (DHPP), which has more than 60,000 members, can now vote in party elections and select its own leadership. This change is expected to make it easier for PAS to reach out to non-Muslim communities.
The amendment received substantial support from the party’s delegates, with over two-thirds approving the change. DHPP deputy chief Lim Guan Seng expressed satisfaction with the development, highlighting that it had been a long-standing goal to elevate the position of non-Muslims within the party.
Despite this change, some observers remain skeptical about its impact. Dr. Bridget Welsh from the University of Nottingham’s Asia Research Institute Malaysia cautioned that the amendment could be perceived as a political gesture rather than a genuine shift in the party’s approach to interfaith relations. She emphasized the need for PAS to engage in meaningful dialogue and respect for non-Muslims beyond symbolic measures.
Similarly, Professor Wong Ching Huat of Sunway University pointed out that the amendment might not significantly alter non-Muslim voters’ perceptions of PAS. He stressed that the party must reconcile its policies with Malaysia’s multicultural reality and address concerns about its treatment of non-Muslim communities.
PAS, which currently controls four of Malaysia’s 13 state assemblies and has more than one million members, has faced criticism for its policies, including bans on gambling in states it governs. The party’s stance on these issues continues to concern Malaysia’s non-Muslim population, which makes up about 30% of the country’s demographic.
The move to admit non-Muslims as associate members is seen as part of PAS’s broader strategy to strengthen its political position and appeal to a wider electorate as the country approaches its next general election.