Instead, PAS Dewan Ulama chief Mahfodz Mohamed said the party had continued to attract members making it the second largest Malay party.
“If we were outdated, rigid and orthodox. we wouldn’t have any followers, and we have many,” said Mahfodz, after former minister Zainuddin Maidin attacked the party in a blog posting.
Zainuddin, a former information minister, had contrasted PAS’ rigid and narrow approach to Islam to the efforts of past Umno leaders in spreading the religion, including during the era of first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Zainuddin said such efforts had made Islam more acceptable to others, unlike now where non-Muslims were questioning PAS’ efforts to allow heavier penalties on Muslim offenders.
“This sweet face of Islam (under Tunku) led to continued cooperation between Umno, MCA and MIC for decades, compared with the fragile relationship between PAS and DAP that was apparently for political convenience,” said Zainuddin.
But Mahfodz said PAS had been around from before independence and had survived”accusations and allegations”.
He said PAS had strong support, resulting in the party forming state governments in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, as well as Selangor.
“And this is how the majority of the people perceive us, so this means we are not what Zainuddin alleges.”
Asked about Zainuddin’s call on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) not to support the PAS bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355), Mahfodz said there were other Malay parties supporting the amendments.
“How can he ask PPBM not to support the initiative when at least half of the MPs will back it?”