'Keep it plain simple is PAS's secret to retain power in Kedah – turn up for prayers, ‘kenduri' & funerals'

Focus Malaysia

19-06-2025

WHAT agenda? What manifesto?
That seems to be the jibe aimed squarely at the chin of Kedah PAS and its apparent plan to retain power in the rice bowl state.
Outlining a three-point plan on X, pro-Pakatan Harapan (PH) influencer surmised that the secret recipe for the Islamist party to stay in power include:
Attend funerals
Attend kenduri (feast) when invited
Lead solat prayer as imam once a while
'Lack of infrastructure such as roads, meaningful facilities of any sort or even a manifesto is of little consequence,' the former Kuala Selangor PKR division chief candidate who is a lawyer by profession sarcastically observed.
3 Rahsia PAS mengekalkan kemenangan di Kedah:
1. Ziarah kematian
2. Datang jemputan kenduri
3. Jadi imam solat sekali sekala
***Biarpun jalan takdak, apa facilities pun takdak. Biarpun manifesto si Badrul tu sampai skrg pun takdak. Takpa.
Tu semua tak penting🙊 pic.twitter.com/4qQfakTHOb
— Faizal Rahman (@FaizalR98528) June 15, 2025
Many seemingly PH backers – including oner Kedah electorate – concurred with the poster, attributing the matter to the village mentality of Kedah folks.
One netizen pointed out that Kedahans seem to be in awe of their Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor who is seen as a courageous leader who is unhindered by his political baggage.
The Tadika PASTI or PAS-run Islamic Early Childhood Education Centre which provides cheap kindergarten education to the B40 and M40 segment was key in the party's success, argued one commenter.
Two years of being continuously exposed to the white circle on green backdrop (as depicted by the PAS logo) would surely endear parents of the children to indirectly support the Islamist party.
'Keep the people stupid and they will remain loyal' seems to be the sentiment of one commenter who argued that such tactics were not privy to PAS but also to UMNO.
However, there were some who defended the Kedahans' choice by arguing that to kampung folk, certain things are more important than issues of infrastructure. For them, having sufficient food to eat and receiving occasional aid were enough for them.
One commenter did point out that turning up at 'KBSM (kenduri, bersalin, sakit, mati)' (literally, feast, childbirth, illness, death) is an effective method of engaging with the electorate.
A presumably pro-opposition commenter challenged the PH leadership to do better for Kedahans aside from spreading malicious falsehoods. 'Do you think we have no internet?' he queried.
This being the arena of politics, nothing is quite ever so black-and-white. Malaysians are now well aware of the fluidity of the situation and how perceptions can change very quickly.
Yes, the legal eagle here does have a point. PAS does seem lacking in clear direction. Its effectiveness as an opposition party at federal level leaves much to be desired.
While Kedah's economy is stagnant, there is argument on the flipside that Kedahans are simply not swayed by PH's promises.
If they choose to lead a simple and unfussy life dictated by religion, who is anyone to criticise their democratic choice?
As for being ever present at kenduri and social gatherings, what's wrong with that?
Isn't that what elected representatives are supposed to do – reach out to their constituents? All the better if there is good food involved! – June 19, 2025