Amanah’s approach to values-based politics could attract fresh support if the party manages to move past the perception that it relies too heavily on the strength of its coalition partners, according to political analysts.
Global Asia Consulting analyst Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri observed that Amanah appears increasingly dependent on the Pakatan Harapan machinery rather than its own internal influence to secure voter backing. He noted that fellow component parties PKR and DAP remain more dominant in mobilising their respective core voter bases.
Consequently, the frequent emphasis on values-based politics has not yet resulted in tangible political strength on the ground. Ahmad Zaharuddin suggested that without a distinct identity, the party’s rhetoric risks being viewed as a slogan lacking real impact.
Challenges in a race-driven landscape
The analyst pointed out that Malaysian politics remains deeply rooted in identity-based sentiments, specifically those involving race and religion. These narratives have long been utilised by PAS through its Malay-Muslim protection platform.
Amanah, by contrast, appears to be operating within an elite discourse that struggles to find resonance among rural voters. The results of the 15th general election highlighted this disparity, where Amanah secured only eight parliamentary seats while PAS achieved a much larger victory.
Ahmad Zaharuddin stressed that these figures indicate that Amanah’s idealism has yet to be converted into actual political power. He argued that values-based politics must be reinforced by clear economic and education policies, alongside robust grassroots strategies.
Potential for modern Islamic vision
A member of Amanah’s national leadership committee, Azli Yusof, recently stated that the party intends to project a modern and inclusive vision of Islamic politics. The Shah Alam Member of Parliament said Amanah rejects the extreme or right-wing approaches used by other religion-based parties, which it views as overly judgmental.
Supporting the potential of this approach, Mazlan Ali from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said that values-based politics could gain traction if implemented consistently. He noted that while national politics is heavily influenced by traditional sentiments, there is still room for mature, welfare-oriented politics or the Madani concept.
Mazlan suggested that these values can be demonstrated through policies that provide direct benefits to the public, such as cash assistance for the underprivileged and government initiatives like the BUDI95 fuel subsidy programme.
Education and long-term strategy
The primary challenge for Amanah lies in convincing the public that Malay dignity can be upheld through positive societal contributions rather than through dominance. Mazlan noted that such a shift in mindset requires significant time and sustained political education.
This includes instilling these values through the national education system and various government programmes. He suggested that if the party pursues long-term strategies, such as the Rahmah concept previously championed by the late Salahuddin Ayub, it could eventually have a major impact on the people.
For Amanah to evolve, it must ensure its idealism is felt through meaningful policies that resonate across different segments of the Malaysian electorate.
