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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 April 2020
The Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) contested in Malaysia's GE-14 as a “gentleman”. Despite our main rival resorting to “ungentlemanly” strategies, PAS adhered to the rules of the game. We did not follow the same path, although we knew that the campaign trail would be tough and one-sided. PAS campaigned the traditional way, presenting to the people what we have to offer and highlighting our success in Kelantan.
PAS had the most complete manifesto compared with the other parties, where we not only presented our short-term but also long-term policies. It was entitled “A Master Vision of Well-Being for the Country” (Wawasan Induk Negara Sejahtera) and it charts out the direction of the nation up to 2051.
I was part of the committee that evaluated the manifestos of the various PAS State Liaison Committees. We were very meticulous in ensuring that what they wanted to offer was practical. We wanted to know where the money to fund their programmes would come from. We wanted to know the exact calculations, the exact dollars and cents—not some figures plucked out of the sky.
This was obviously different from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. They promised the sky and surely the voters fell for it. However, in the end, the coalition had to admit that some of their promises were made without detailed statistics and are impossible to fulfil.
PAS also had to endure the malicious lies spread about the party. PH not only attacked Barisan Nasional (BN) with the 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), but PAS was also at the receiving end. There were allegations that PAS received funds from 1MDB. In addition, PAS was also accused of receiving funding from UMNO. This was an illogical accusation as we were contesting against UMNO-BN, so why would they give us money to challenge them?
These allegations and accusations were made without any proof whatsoever. Social media was effectively used to influence voters. Sometimes I wonder how can you call yourself a Muslim when you can spread untrue stories? Maybe it was the case of the Machiavellian principle of the end justifying the means, but Nicolo Machiavelli was not a Muslim. Islam would never condone any slanderous act.
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