PAS Gets Tips from Turkey on How to Win Elections

KUALA LUMPUR - If Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) drops its affection for fiery verse and conceals its theocratic leanings in the run-up to the next general election, the changes could be the result of a recent visit by its leaders to Turkey.

A delegation from the conservative party visited Istanbul on a two-fold mission to congratulate Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the victory of his Justice and Development Party in the polls and to find out how the Islamic party had won over an electorate in a secular nation.

The PAS team came away with loads of election material and a tall order to follow.

It would have to dump threatening rhetoric, focus on earthy issues such as corruption and the economy, and talk less about setting up a theocratic Islamic state.

A senior PAS official told The Straits Times: 'The victory in Turkey has really inspired us. We believe that we can adopt many of the strategies used by Mr Erdogan and his colleagues.

'But the key issue for PAS is to convince some of our leaders and our supporters that a change in style does not mean that we are abandoning our core beliefs.'

On Nov 3, the Justice and Development Party won 34 per cent of the Turkish vote, a stunning victory for an Islamic movement in a country where secularism is entrenched and guarded by the military.

But unlike his predecessors in other Islamic parties, Mr Erdogan's campaign was marked by moderation.

He spoke about the need to feed the poor, create jobs and tackle corruption - and he skirted religious issues.

When he was asked whether his wife would wear tudung at public functions, he said he would not take her along. This approach found favour with many Turkish people.

PAS vice-president Mustafa Ali, who led the delegation, says he was impressed with the organisation and commitment of Mr Erdogan's party.

But he ruled out masking his party's fundamentalist agenda, saying it had to be honest with the electorate: 'In Turkey, politicians cannot use the word Islam, but it is different here. We have to be direct with the people.'

Still, he said the party should tone down its rhetoric and focus on broad-based issues that would appeal to all Malaysians, not just Muslims.

'We are trying to change but it will not happen overnight. We know that only if we get the support from non-Muslims can we govern Malaysia one day.'

The PAS leader said an important lesson gleaned from the Turkish election was the importance of having a charismatic leader who could attract support from all segments of society. Mr Erdogan had been the focal point of his party's campaign.

His efficient performance as Instanbul's mayor and clean image drew support even from those who feared that the rise of an Islamic party could threaten the future of a secular Turkey.

Said Datuk Mustafa: 'To me that is the key. To have a charismatic leader who is the focal point of the campaign that people from other races and religions can respect.'

And did PAS have such a candidate?

'No, not yet,' he replied.

The conservative Islamic party made significant gains in the 1999 general elections, but non-Muslims continue to be suspicious of its Islamic-state agenda.