In bid to replace PAS, new Islamist party to recruit young non-partisan political greenhorns
(Malay Mail Online) – Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB), the budding new Islamist movement by PAS progressives, wants to position itself as a viable replacement to PAS in the yet-to-be-formed “Pakatan 2.0” by seeking support from young Malay voters who have yet to find themselves a political platform.
Mohamad Sabu, a leader of GHB, said there are many Malay youths out who are not attached to either Umno or PAS, and are yet to decide on their political allegiances.
These non-partisan political greenhorns, the former PAS deputy president added, would likely find GHB’s more inclusive ideological beliefs more attractive than those of Umno’s or PAS’s.
“You must remember, the Muslims… only a very little portion is with Umno and PAS now. So many are still out there like the students and young people.
“They are waiting for this new party because for 30 years, the Islamic movement has lost its direction,” he told a recent interview with Malay Mail Online.
Mohamad, or Mat Sabu, said the new party to be formed soon by GHB would be founded on Islamic principles but would likely allow in non-Muslims as full, participating members unlike in PAS, whose non-Muslim members are not allowed to vote during the party polls.
The leader added, however, that details on membership for the new party have yet to be finalised.
“There is no problem. We are Islamic-based clearly. Even PAS also non-Muslims are no problem at all.
“We have not discussed in detail on the membership but they (non-Muslims) are welcome,” he said.
