PAS’ “Malay-Muslim unity” slogan ahead of Melaka polls draws jibes on social media

PAS, the Islamic party, has reintroduced its "Malay-Muslim unity" slogan in the lead-up to the upcoming Melaka state election, igniting criticism on social media. Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, PAS’ central information chief, urged via a Facebook post that the unity agenda would be revisited, predicting another setback for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. However, his remarks drew ridicule and questions from netizens regarding the sincerity of the agenda and its ties to past political alliances.

Some pointed out PAS' historical connections with other political parties, notably the recent discord in Negeri Sembilan. Social media users Nagin Nirmala and Fakruzaman Ismail criticized the "blue and green unity" in Negeri Sembilan, which had resulted in political turmoil rather than unity. Mohamad Asraff also questioned whether PAS' use of the unity slogan was merely a tactic to secure positions rather than genuinely benefit the community.

The social media backlash stems from PAS' preparation for the Melaka state election and its renewed emphasis on the "Malay-Muslim unity" slogan. However, critics also revisited PAS' past affiliations with parties that ended in political disputes once their interests diverged. Some even brought up the period when PAS was a part of the federal government, questioning the party's handling of critical issues such as the prices and supply of essential goods.