Will ‘moderate Islamists’ entering PKR impact political scene?

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR – In light of Pakatan Harapan (PH) managing to rake in only five of the 28 seats in the Melaka election, Maszlee Malik’s move to join PKR has been received with no small amount of mockery and apprehension. 

It has not helped that the component party itself did not win any seats in the recent polls.

As such, bringing in Maszlee may be part of a strategy to shore up the party with individuals regarded as “moderate” Islamists.

Political observers who perceive the Simpang Renggam MP and former education minister as a cosmopolitan politician with moderate Islamic views are not surprised by his decision. 

In fact, Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Azmil Tayeb believes that Maszlee should have made the choice from the start. PKR, he said, is a much better fit for him compared to a Malay nationalist party like Bersatu.

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