2025/20 “The Narrative Battle for Malay Muslim Support: PAS’ Exclusivist Dominance vs Madani’s Administrative Tactics” by Amrita Malhi

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• After the Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) “Green Wave” of 2022-3, a wide range of Malaysian political actors believed that Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani federal government would not act to counter its narratives.

• Instead, Anwar’s forces have signalled that they would only check PAS using “administrative” tactics, and only in selected battles and arenas. This decision corresponds with a widely rumoured desire among Madani’s component parties and coalitions to keep their electoral alliance options open for as…