“We must not discount the role played, the welfare and how it reaches out to the grounds, tackles problems (such as) people’s basic needs to continue living,” said Dr Norshahril Saat, Senior Fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
“PAS goes to the grassroots to visit an ailing person or person seeking help, and it is how the party touches people at the grassroots.”
PAS, which has built a fortress in Kelantan, is also solidifying its influence in Terengganu and Kedah.
Together with another Malay party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), PAS is part of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition that swept all but one parliamentary seat in these three states at Malaysia’s 15th General Election.
Observers have termed PN’s triumph as the “green wave”, and the tides seem to be moving west and south.