KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — While Umno is hoping to score a major political coup in enticing Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin into the Barisan Nasional (BN) lynchpin, his fellow Islamic scholars say his controversial ideas could limit his impact and ability to draw support from conservative Malay voters.
They say the influential scholar could be forced to hold his tongue on religious issues because of political considerations.
Former PAS vice-president Datuk Nakhaei Ahmad said Asri would first have to decide what kind of role he wants to play in Umno.
“It is up to him whether he wants to play an active role or not,” said Nakhaei, who left PAS in 1980s before joining Umno.
However, Nakhaei dismissed PAS’s suggestions that ulama like Asri would be sidelined after joining the Malay party.
“When I was in PAS, I could not contribute much to Islam, but after I joined Umno those who understand missionary work would appreciate my contribution,” said Nakhaei, who led the government’s Islamic foundation Yadim until late last year.
“I did not lose anything by leaving PAS,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
Nakhaei, however, admitted that Asri (picture) may have to avoid discussing controversial issues so as not to affect Umno.
“He will have to be careful in bringing up controversial issues as Umno may be affected,” said Nakhaei.
Asri is known for his unconventional interpretation of the sharia.
As Perlis mufti, he had spoken up against moral policing which made him popular among certain sections of the Muslim community but made many conservatives uncomfortable.
For former Abim president Dr Muhd Nur Manuty, Asri’s popularity among some Muslims would not be enough to help Umno regain Muslim support it has lost.
“He may have ideas that can attract the younger generation, but Umno is in crisis now,” said Muhd Nur.
“When Anwar joined Umno the party was at its peak under the Mahathir leadership. But the era is over,” he added.
Muhd Nur was part of the Abim national leadership when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim joined Umno in 1982.
Muhd Nur, who is now a member of the PKR political bureau, served as Abim president from 1991 to 1997.
“I don’t think there will be a major impact. He is far different from Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar was a student activist, Dr Asri is a scholar,” he said.
Abim secretary-general Raimi Rahim told The Malaysian Insider Asri may have a role to play in the government just like other religious scholars such as Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom, who is the minister in charge of Islamic affairs, and his deputy Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim.
“He will bring in new ideas, new approaches that may make people around him uneasy,” Raimi said.
“But just like Jamil Khir and Dr Mashitah he will be given a role. As a controversial figure he will create an impact but Umno must handle him well,” he added.
Yesterday, Umno executive secretary Datuk Abdul Rauf Yusoh told The Malaysian Insiderthat Asri was expected to join Umno this Friday along with a number of other ulama in what would be a major coup for BN.
Asri, however, refused to confirm the matter, saying that he had not made a final decision yet.
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