Amanah continues to struggle in winning over Malay voters due to its unclear narrative and undefined political identity, according to an analyst.
Syaza Shukri from the International Islamic University Malaysia said the party’s main challenge goes beyond simply boosting support among Malays.
She pointed out that Amanah, which split from PAS, has failed to clearly communicate its objectives, which remain obscure to many.
Unclear Narrative Hinders Progress
“The issue is with their narrative. What does Amanah represent? It cannot just be progressive Islam,” Syaza told FMT.
She questioned whether the party has been aggressive enough in promoting its progressive Islam agenda, especially through social media, which could play a key role.
Syaza also advised Amanah to target fence sitters rather than trying to pull voters away from PAS and Umno, as that would be very difficult.
Low Support Signals Wake-up Call
Her comments came in response to Amanah Youth chief Hasbie Muda’s recent statement that internal survey figures show Malay support for the party ranging from only 1% to 5%.
Hasbie described the numbers as a wake-up call ahead of the next general election.
Analyst Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri agreed, saying the low support proves Amanah has “lost its way”.
He noted that less than 5% backing is far too little for a party aiming to represent progressive Islam.
Ahmad Zaharuddin added that Amanah has not built strong grassroots support and is often seen as a secondary player within Pakatan Harapan.
Bold Steps Needed for Relevance
He urged Amanah to adopt bold strategies, strengthen its grassroots base, champion Malay causes, and develop fresh narratives that can inspire confidence.
“The time for playing safe is over. Only by championing Malay issues can Amanah restore its relevance,” he said.
On Saturday, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu called on the party to demonstrate to the public that it is a defender of Islam.
He stressed that this approach would help secure victory in the next general election.
Mohamad highlighted the importance of perception among Malay voters, noting that religious issues influenced many Muslims to reject Pakatan Harapan in the 2022 general election.
“For example, in Kelantan you can go on TikTok and talk about how the water looks like milk tea, it won’t matter. What matters is that Islam is ‘safe’,” he said, adding that this should be a key lesson for Amanah.
About The Author
