Political Islam of PAS will grow, says Proham

JOHOR BARU: Political Islam, as practised by PAS, is on the rise with the Islamist party having secured 18% of the popular vote at the recent General Election.
Secretary-general of the Association for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (pix) predicted a further growth in strength of the party over the next 10 years.
"We must accept (this) and practise moderation," he told a public forum with the theme 'The reform agenda and the role of the civil society' today.
"We need to article the position of Islam from the understanding of the Federal Constitution, role of the Rulers and the state governments."
Denison was speaking at the forum organised by Malaysian CSO-SDG Alliance, Engage, Proham, Johor chapter of the International Women's Peace Group (IWPG) and Johor Indian Business Association (JIBA).
He said there are still many challenges ahead in the country's process of change, such as resistance from certain political forces, Islamist and Malay NGOs on the appointment of the minister of finance and the attorney-general on racial and religious grounds.
Denison said he foresees resistance to changes of institutions seen as political propaganda tools, such as the National Civics Bureau (BTN) and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
Meanwhile, Engage chairman Thomas Fann, said civil society organisations are willing to work for the changes for a better Malaysia.
He said the government had promised in Pakatan Harapan (PH) Manifesto that such organisations will be given platform in participating social reforms.
Fann said Engage is working on a report on "Make Johor Jaya a better livable place" .
He added that 30 residents are working on the community project since three weeks ago. It will outline some recommendations on local agendas and the proposals will be submitted to the Exco for Women Development and Tourism Liow Cai Tung, who is the Johor Jaya assemblyperson.
The report is expected to be completed in two months and will be presented in a town hall session here.