Over the last few years the influence of socialism became more apparent in PAS. I suppose this is not really news because PAS has been happily working with DAP for quite some time. But socialist voices are becoming stronger. Two examples:
1. This article is clearly arguing for socialism.
2. This article is about a PAS leader speaking in socialistic / pro state-planning tone.
Why is the latter socialistic?
Well, read this quote: “Inilah dia kerajaan yang berjiwa rakyat, kerajaan yang menjaga kebajikan rakyat, kerajaan yang boleh memberikan kesejahteraan kepada rakyat dan inilah kerajaan yang boleh dipanggil ‘kuli rakyat’, patutnya rakyat menjadi tuan bukannya menjadi kuli”. When the state tries to “memberikan kesejahteraan kepada rakyat”, how will they define “kesejahteraan”? Whose definition would they use? Will the state define what is sejahtera and what is not? The quote worryingly indicates a bigger state, where the state determines what is good for her citizens.
And then there was this quote: “Arab Saudi apabila harga minyak dunia naik, harga minyak dalam negaranya diturunkan dan gaji kakitangan dinaikkan, inilah pemimpin yang berjiwa menolong rakyat, kita negara pengeluar minyak sepatutnya dalam negeri murahlah.” When oil price increased globally, prices should go up everywhere. Compare the economy of Saudi Arabia with other countries that do not control prices. Compare the level of state corruption in Saudi with other countries that do not control prices. Do we want to make Saudi a role model? Ergh…
Perhaps the increasing influence of socialist ideas is not realised by many. But unfortunately the ‘crusade’ against Liberal Islam is turning some people into Socialist Islam.
I would reject both the Islam Liberal interpretation of Islam, as well as the pro-socialist ideas of some Islamists. As a matter of principle, Islam tells me that choice should be given back to the people, and competition should be encouraged. The state should be small and the institutions within our society should be strengthened.
Filed under: Freedom & Liberty, Malaysia
zakat, baitul mal, shariah, iqtisad islami etc does point towards certain aspects of what you call expanded/welfare/socialistic government. To be fair It could operate independently as you have pointed out in your hyperlink on Values and Institutions, but I think it is hardly liberal politics (esp when I saw the phrase “sanctioning mechanism”) notwithstanding its practise in history. as for the “matter of principle”, people are free to do what is within shariah (can be taken very broadly and multi-facetedly) whilst everything outside of shariah is no longer freedom but rather a license. Mind you I’m borrowing this concept of freedom vs license from the liberal philosopher John Locke (refer 2 Treatise on Gov), ironically.
Anyway, that’s just some random counter-points. Your Values and Institutions entry is a good and vital point though, – liberalizing Islamic political thought. I would love to see y ou expand more on that (ex, demonstrate how it could meet demands of a moral, upright society as seen by traditional).muslims.