Islamic party puts moderate foot forward in newly won state

Islamic party puts moderate foot forward in newly won state

By Ranjan Roy

KUALA TERENGGANU, Malaysia (AP): In his turban and long robe,
Abdul Hadi Awang looks very much the Islamic preacher he is.

So, many people were surprised when his first act as head of
the new Islamic-oriented government in the northern state of
Terengganu was to cancel plans for a huge mosque, calling it un-
Islamic extravagance.

The bespectacled 53-year-old leader of the Pan-Malaysian
Islamic Party directed that the 100 million ringgit (US$26
million) budgeted for the mosque be spent on scholarships for
poor children and improvements in villages.

Abdul Hadi formed his administration in December after his
party won a state election victory over the nationally dominant
United Malays National Organization (UMNO) of Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad. It is widely seen as a test case of whether the
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party will run a moderate government and
put its Islamic agenda on hold.

In this Southeast Asian country, where about 40 percent of the
people are not Muslims, the attitude of the Islamic party toward
minorities could determine its prospects in future elections.

The imposition of Islamic codes like amputation of limbs for
petty crimes, and constitutional amendments that would make
Malaysia an Islamic state would likely alienate Chinese
Christians and Buddhists and Indian Hindus.

Mahathir and his allies tried to portray Abdul Hadi's party as
a collection of religious extremists and fanatics who would undo
Malaysia's spectacular economic gains by shutting out the world.

But riding a wave of discontent among Muslims over Mahathir's
treatment of ousted deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, the
Islamic party made a dent in mainstream politics for the first
time in years, winning control of two northern states and more
than tripling its seats in Parliament from eight to 27 in the
193-seat assembly.

The party contested the elections in a coalition with three
moderate opposition groups, including one formed by Anwar's
supporters. That helped expand its support among Malays who do
not necessarily support an Islamic program.

Abdul Hadi's government says its focus is less on Islam than
on helping people in the state, which has remained poor despite
being one of the largest oil-producing regions in Malaysia.

Unlike more prosperous cities in the south, Kuala Terengganu
has just a few high-rise buildings. Most people still live in
traditional Malay homes built of wood on stilts and live off
farming or fishing.

"We will abide by what is permissible and what is prohibited
in Islam," Abdul Hadi said at his 16th-floor office where he sits
facing a computer fitted with microphones for video conferencing.

His administration has predictably outlawed drinking alcohol
in public places and declared gambling illegal, but it has not
cracked down on the few pubs and nightclubs that cater mostly to
non-Muslims and tourists.

"Moderation is the basis for Islam," Abdul Hadi said. "We
recognize the right of non-Muslims to consume alcohol, although I
don't think any religion condones alcoholism."

By contrast, in the overwhelmingly Muslim state of Kelantan,
where it has governed for nearly a decade, the party has
restricted the sale of alcohol, banned lotteries, promoted
segregation of sexes in public and even tried to impose Hudud,
the Islamic criminal code, and a law that punishes those who
convert from Islam.

Terengganu, too, is open to Islamic approaches. Muslims live
mostly in villages and remain largely conservative. Men shun
alcohol and women wear headscarves and most businesses and
offices are shut on Friday, Islam's Sabbath.

But Abdul Hadi's party wants to set an example in this state
of model governance rather than one of a theocratic
administration.

Asked about his priorities, he listed developing the economy,
attracting investment and promoting openness in government.

"We have some hardcore poor to take care of, people who are
homeless, students who can't go to the university because of
financial problems, and infrastructure in villages," Abdul Hadi
said.

There is no agenda to make its society more Islamic, he added.
"All we want to do is to infuse moral values in the
administration."

For now, the state's Chinese residents -- Christians and
Buddhists who constitute about 10 percent of the region's one
million people -- aren't worried. Pork, considered impure by
Muslims, is available. Non-Muslims also are allowed to buy, sell
and drink alcohol, and there are no prohibitions on temples and
churches.

"At first there was some concern," said Low Kian Chuan, a
prominent businessman. "But now the Chinese community as a whole
is more comfortable."