‘Progressive’ or Conservative? Malaysia’s Rising Politician, Nushi Mahfodz

Nushi Mahfodz, a young leader from Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) and currently state assemblyman for Semenyih in Selangor, drew significant public attention following his 6 April visit to Arulmigu Dewi Sri Karumariamman Alayam, a Hindu temple in his constituency. It coincided with the aftermath of a contentious issue involving the relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple near Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur, which had been moved to make way for the construction of a mosque. This was an unthinkable move, given his role as the secretary of the PAS Central Ulama Council. To many PAS members, Nushi’s visit represents an element of “progressive” thinking, which is rare among the party rank and file. This thus makes him a man to watch.

Nushi said that an invitation had been extended to him, and that the visit was in reciprocation of the temple leadership’s prior attendance at a PAS-organised Ramadan breaking-of-fast event in Semenyih. Notably, this was not Nushi’s first engagement with his Hindu constituents. He has actively promoted PAS among the Indian community, particularly through the party’s non-Muslim supporters’ wing, now known as the Dewan Himpunan Penyokong PAS.

It is important to note here that to the PAS rank and file, the term “progressive” has different connotations from its traditional definition. In the conventional sense, being “liberal” or “progressive” denotes religious freedom, tolerance, and an acknowledgement that different people can hold different religious beliefs. To PAS members, being “progressive” is more restrictive in scope — that is, the countenancing of Muslims visiting temples and churches.

PAS technocrats have largely come to Nushi’s defence. Prominent PAS lawyer and close associate of party president Abdul Hadi Awang, Yusfarizal Yusoff, quickly supported Nushi. Similarly, Nurul Islam Mohamed Yusoff, director of the research and policy department of PAS’ Central Information Committee, stated that Nushi’s visit was an act of goodwill and did not involve participation in any religious rituals.

It is essential to note that Semenyih is one of Selangor’s most fiercely contested state seats. During the 2019 by-election, the outcome in Semenyih played a role in destabilising the then-ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, eventually leading to the formation of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government following the 2020 political upheaval known as the “Sheraton Move”.

Semenyih is notably home to a sizeable Malay middle class, including public servants from nearby Putrajaya and academics affiliated with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and the Selangor International Islamic University College (UIS). Nushi, a former UIS lecturer, won the seat during the 2023 Selangor state elections, defeating Barisan Nasional’s Wan Zulaika Anua with a 1,262 vote majority. The area also includes rural populations and a significant Indian community. The semi-urban seat lies within the Hulu Langat parliamentary constituency, held by PH’s Mohd Sany Hamzan, and is flanked by the Bangi parliamentary constituency represented by the Democratic Action Party’s Syahredzan Johan.

For many Malaysian political observers, Nushi is a hitherto unfamiliar figure. He is the son of Dr Mahfodz Mohamed, former head of the PAS Ulama Council and a staunch supporter of Abdul Hadi Awang. Dr Mahfodz has notably defended Hadi, including during the latter’s controversial 2016 remarks recognising Shi’ism as part of Islam. As such, Nushi is often seen as a loyal lieutenant to Abdul Hadi. Media Islam, a website closely aligned with the PAS president, has published a statement of support for Nushi amid internal party criticism.

While Nushi has gained national prominence by positioning himself as a ‘progressive’ figure within PAS, it would be premature to describe him as genuinely progressive in the traditional sense.

Nushi proudly claims to adopt a moderate political approach by engaging with non-Muslim communities. In a Facebook post in January, he justified his actions by referencing the life of Prophet Muhammad, who sought the services of a non-Muslim guide during his migration to Medina. In this regard, Nushi’s approach aligns with the principles advocated by his father during his tenure as the head of the Ulama Council, namely the call to foster relations with non-Muslims who do not oppose Islam. By visiting the temple, Nushi followed in the footsteps of his father and Abdul Hadi, who visited a Hindu temple in 2018, by arguing that they did not participate in any religious rituals.

Nushi’s political persona and rise within PAS are intriguing. He is known as a “progressive” young leader who chose to remain in PAS despite his apparent affinity with leaders who later formed the breakaway Amanah party in 2016. His political manoeuvring has generally been cautious and calculated.

During PAS’ tenure in government as part of the PN government from March 2020 to August 2021, Nushi was appointed as a Special Duties Officer to Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Marzuk Shaary, and later served in a senior capacity under the Minister of Religious Affairs Idris Ahmad.

Despite his growing visibility, Nushi’s future in PAS remains uncertain. The Semenyih seat is far from a stronghold for him, even though he is a familiar face in local mosques. He did not anticipate his 2023 victory, which many attributed to protest votes from disillusioned United Malays’ National Organization supporters.

During his electoral campaign, he was also accused of exploiting disinformation that the Selangor state government intended to shut down religious schools — an allegation vehemently denied by Amanah president Mohd Sabu, the Sultan of Selangor, and current Minister of Religious Affairs Mohd Na’im Mokhtar. This disinformation campaign was cited as a key factor in PH’s losses to PN.

Nushi is believed to have a stronger support base in Sungai Ramal, a state seat in Bangi, where he enjoys a considerable following. He contested there in 2018 but was defeated. In 2023, his bid to return was blocked by Shafie Ngah, a fellow PAS member who refused to relinquish his hold on the seat.

Conservative factions within PAS have also expressed discontent with Nushi’s “progressive” approach. His critic within the Central Ulama Council, Mokhtar Senik, publicly rebuked his approach — an unusual occurrence in a party known for its disciplined internal silence. The conservative approach is to keep a clear demarcation — that is, for Muslims not to mix their faith with that of other faiths.

While Nushi has gained national prominence by positioning himself as a “progressive” figure within PAS, it would be premature to describe him as genuinely progressive in the traditional sense. His positions on several minority-related issues — such as the presence of pro-gay literature in bookstores — continue to reflect the conservative ethos that characterises much of Malaysia’s political landscape.

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