SINGAPORE: Following an amendment to its party constitution at its annual congress, the Islamist party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) will allow non-Muslims in the country to join them as associate members as long as they are not atheists.
The motion to admit non-Muslim members into the party received the unanimous backing of over 1,300 delegates who were present at PAS’s annual congress on Saturday (Sep 14).
The annual congress – also known as muktamar – began on Sep 11 and ended on Sep 15.
PAS’ secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said that non-Muslims who wish to become associate members of the Islamist party must be believers of other religions.
“For those who want to become a PAS associate member, they must practise either Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism or any other religion in the world.
“Yes, practise any other religions apart from Islam, and those without a religion like atheists cannot take up the membership,” Mr Takiyuddin was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.
Meanwhile, he stressed that the conditions to being regular PAS members remain unchanged, and this includes being Malaysian as well as a Muslim, among others.
At the same congress, Mr Takiyuddin said the move to admit non-Muslims as associate members of the party will help strengthen its Non-Muslim Supporters Wing (DHPP) by giving them more rights and responsibilities.
According to The Star, Mr Takiyuddin had announced that the DHPP would be elevated to become a full party wing, where its members would be able to vote and hold positions within the wing.
Aside from the move to admit non-Muslim as associate members, the congress also saw other amendments to PAS’ constitution, including on anti-party hopping regulations.
The Star quoted Mr Takiyuddin as saying that the amendments were necessary to strengthen the party and make it more dynamic and inclusive across racial and religious lines, especially in facing future challenges.
Previously, CNA has reported that PAS has set a goal to woo non-Malay, non-Muslim voters in order to make greater inroads before the country’s next general election that must be held by November 2027.
