Part 10/16:

Historically, political leaders have navigated this landscape cautiously, partly to avoid alienating more moderate segments. However, the narrative of a rising “Green Wave” and the increasing electoral influence of religious parties demonstrate how political Islam is reshaping Malaysia’s party system and societal discourse.

Contested Interpretations of Islam and Social Divisions

The diversity within Islam itself complicates the narrative. Movements range from fundamentalist Salafism to Indonesia’s more native Nusantara Islam, each with different societal implications. The question remains: who has the authority to define Islam nationally? Some figures, like PAS’s leaders, seek to emulate the role of royal sultans as custodians of Islam, asserting dominance in religious discourse.