The Politics of Demonisation: Ex-Muhyiddin Aide Warns That Branding DAP as 'Enemy of Islam' Is a Dangerous Escalation

A former aide to ex-prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has issued a stark warning against the escalating political rhetoric in Malaysia, criticising PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for labelling DAP as an "enemy of Islam". Marzuki Mohamad said this trajectory is profoundly unhealthy for the nation and represents a dangerous escalation from legitimate political critique into religious demonisation.

Marzuki argued that the rekindling of ties between Umno and PAS has led the two traditional rivals to "manufacture" a common enemy in DAP. He suggested this was a necessary political strategy to sustain their newly revived pact and mobilise Malay support. This strategy, he warned, is not just a matter of political tactics but carries significant risks for Malaysia's multi-ethnic, multi-religious society.

"While political critique of the DAP is entirely legitimate and something I engage in frequently demonising the party and its supporters as enemies of Islam is a dangerous escalatory tactic," he said in a Facebook post.

Marzuki highlighted the broader implications of such rhetoric, noting that it inadvertently categorises roughly 75% of the nation's non-Muslim population as enemies of Islam. He described this as a "profoundly unhealthy" path for the country. He stressed that while criticism of DAP is valid, framing political opponents as religious adversaries risks deepening Malaysia's religious and communal divides.

The Latest Salvo and Reactions

Marzuki's warning came after Hadi claimed DAP was leading Pakatan Harapan in "continuing the work of colonisers to destroy Malay-Muslims". Hadi cited DAP's push to revive local council elections and its "Malaysian Malaysia" vision among others.

The statement drew immediate criticism from DAP leaders and Wanita Amanah chief Aiman Athirah Sabu, who dared Hadi to haul DAP to court if he had proof to back up his claims. Marzuki, however, framed the issue as part of a broader pattern where political competition risks evolving into hostility along religious and communal lines.

Hadi's remarks are not isolated. They represent a pattern of rhetoric that has intensified in recent years as political competition in Malaysia has become increasingly polarised. The use of religious language to frame political opponents is a tactic that has been employed by various parties across the political spectrum, but it has become particularly pronounced in the discourse surrounding DAP and Pakatan Harapan.

Historical Context: From 'Islamisation Race' to 'Frenemies'

Marzuki traced the current political dynamics to a historical pattern of religious competition between Umno and PAS. He pointed out that the country's two largest Malay-Muslim parties were engaged in a bitter "Islamisation race" in the 1970s and 1980s. During this period, Hadi delivered his infamous speech where he branded Umno members as "kafir" (infidels) and the fight against the Barisan Nasional lynchpin as a "jihad".

The former aide noted that this ideological competition eased in the late 1990s when PAS allied with PKR and DAP to challenge Umno and Barisan Nasional's dominance. Consequently, the political discourse shifted throughout the 2000s to focus on governance, corruption, public welfare, and economic performance. Today, however, these former archnemeses have "refashioned themselves as 'frenemies'" under the banner of Malay-Muslim unity.

This historical trajectory is instructive. It shows that while political alliances and strategies shift, the underlying patterns of rhetoric and mobilisation can have long-lasting effects. The current discourse, Marzuki argues, risks rekindling the kind of religious polarisation that Malaysia experienced in its earlier decades a period that left deep scars on the nation's social fabric.

The Danger of Demonisation

Marzuki's warning is grounded in a recognition of the real-world consequences of such rhetoric. When political opponents are framed as enemies of Islam, it creates a climate of suspicion and hostility that can spill over into everyday life. Non-Muslims may feel marginalised or targeted, and inter-communal relations may suffer.

Moreover, such rhetoric can have a chilling effect on political discourse. It discourages constructive debate and encourages a zero-sum approach to politics, where compromise and cooperation are seen as weaknesses rather than strengths. This is particularly dangerous in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society like Malaysia, where the ability to find common ground across differences is essential to the functioning of democracy.

Marzuki urged political actors to return to substantive issues rather than resorting to religious demonisation. He warned that such tactics could have lasting consequences for national unity. The focus, he argued, should be on governance, economic performance, and the well-being of all Malaysians, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.

The Broader Implications for Malaysian Politics

The controversy over Hadi's remarks is part of a broader trend in Malaysian politics, where identity-based politics have become increasingly prominent. While identity has always been a factor in Malaysian politics, the current discourse has taken on a more polarised and confrontational tone.

This has been driven in part by the shifting political landscape, where traditional alliances have broken down, and new ones have formed. The partnership between Umno and PAS, once bitter rivals, is a prime example of this. The two parties, which were engaged in a fierce competition for Malay-Muslim support for decades, have now joined forces under the banner of Malay-Muslim unity.

This new alliance has created a dynamic where the two parties are competing to prove their commitment to the Malay-Muslim cause, often at the expense of other communities. This has led to a series of controversial statements and policy proposals that have raised concerns about the direction of the country.

The Role of DAP in the Political Landscape

DAP, as the largest predominantly non-Muslim party in Malaysia, has often been a target of such rhetoric. The party's commitment to a "Malaysian Malaysia" vision, which seeks to create a more equitable society where all citizens are treated equally regardless of their ethnic or religious background, has been framed by its critics as a threat to Malay-Muslim interests.

However, DAP has consistently defended its position, arguing that its vision is about fairness and justice for all Malaysians. The party has also pointed out that it has worked with Malay-led parties like PKR and Amanah to pursue a progressive agenda that benefits all Malaysians, not just the non-Muslim community.

The framing of DAP as an "enemy of Islam" is a deliberate attempt to delegitimise the party and its supporters, Marzuki argued. It is a tactic that seeks to mobilise support by creating a sense of threat and fear, rather than by offering a positive vision for the country's future.

The Need for Constructive Discourse

As Malaysia navigates its complex political landscape, Marzuki's intervention serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society. He urged political actors to return to substantive issues rather than resorting to religious demonisation, warning that such tactics could have lasting consequences for national unity.

Marzuki's call for a return to substantive issues is a timely one. In recent years, the political discourse in Malaysia has often been dominated by identity-based rhetoric, with less attention paid to governance, economic performance, and the well-being of all citizens. This has created a vacuum where extremist voices have been able to gain traction.

The challenge for Malaysian politics is to find a way to address legitimate concerns about the interests of different communities while also fostering a sense of shared destiny and common purpose. This requires political leaders who are willing to engage in constructive dialogue, to listen to different perspectives, and to work towards solutions that benefit all Malaysians.

The controversy over Hadi's remarks is not just about one political leader's statements. It is about the direction of Malaysian politics and the kind of society that Malaysians want to build. Marzuki's warning is a reminder that the choices made by political leaders today will have lasting consequences for the nation's social fabric.

As Marzuki noted, political critique of DAP is entirely legitimate. But the demonisation of political opponents along religious lines is a dangerous escalation that risks tearing the nation apart. The challenge for Malaysia is to find a way to conduct political competition that is robust and vigorous, but also respectful of the country's diversity and committed to the well-being of all its citizens.