Malaysia’s PAS takes to TikTok as it seeks a repeat of general election success in state polls

PAS became Malaysia’s single biggest party in November, fuelled by a collapse of support for disgraced ex-ruling party Umno and figurehead Najib Razak

In August’s polls, the Islamist party aims to increase its popularity by using TikTok to pummel PM Anwar Ibrahim and his multi-ethnic coalition

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PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang waves during Malaysia’s general election last year. How well will the conservative party do in August’s state elections? Photo: Malaysia’s Department of Information via AFP

Published: 9:30am, 10 Jul 2023Updated: 4:23pm, 10 Jul 2023

Founded seven decades ago by Islamic clerics, Malaysia’s Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) finally emerged as the single largest party in parliament in November’s polls, partly thanks to its deft use of TikTok to lure a new generation of voters to its conservative brand of Malay-Muslim identity politics.

Voters in the heartland states of Terengganu and Kelantan turned to PAS en masse, with the party winning all the parliamentary seats contested in both states.

Overall it took 49 out of the 222 seats available – up from 18 in 2018 – following a collapse of support for the disgraced ex-ruling party Umno, its figurehead Najib Razak sinking it into corruption scandals and court cases.

Now as six key state elections loom next month, PAS is seeking to give a bloody nose to the administration of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his multi-ethnic coalition – which includes Umno.

PAS supporters gather outside a nomination centre in Langkawi on election nomination day outside in 2018. Photo: AP

For 22-year-old student Muhaimin, the appeal is a simple question of belonging.

“You are from Terengganu, you support PAS,” he said, asking to be identified only by his first name. “We are Malay, Muslim, and so we must support PAS. It is something that is part of our identity … it’s natural.”