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."