With his black shirt, long-hair and goatee Dr Muhaimin Sulam (pic) looked like he was in a rock band, ready to belt out heavy tunes from the 80s to audience of screaming fans.
In reality, he was seen on a stage, addressing more than a thousand of delegates from Islamist party PAS who wore skullcaps and long robes seemingly reflecting its conservative image.
It was indeed a rare moment for PAS’ annual gathering last year, as the 50-year-old man used a 70’s hard rock hit Stairway to Heaven by legendary English rock band Led Zeppelin as an example of how PAS should lead the younger generation to the right path.
Before he ended his speech, Muhaimin uttered some lines from German rock band Scorpions’ The Wind of Change, reminding the Islamist party that it was time to reach out to other parts of society, not necessarily devout Muslims.
Speaking to The Star Online at a recent interview, Muhaimin who is the PAS central committee member in charge of Arts and Culture portfolio admitted that he was not a typical PAS man.
“I initially followed the style that’s been set in PAS, but in the end, I chose to be myself and the party has no problem with my image, although I’d like to stress that I am not an image fanatic,” said the PhD holder from University of Wales Trinity St David, UK.
Growing up listening to the likes of Scorpions, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Sweet Charity, Muhaimin said PAS had never judged him for his taste in music and his image.
He however was quick to add that he already grew out of the ‘hard rock’ phase, and now preferred listening to traditional Malay songs such as dondang sayang or ghazal “most probably due to old age”.
“I still remember when I was in PAS Youth, we had an intense discussion whether we should organise a concert at PAS’ old headquarters in Taman Melewar.
“In the end, the meeting decided to approve it. So we invited Ito and Tok Ghani from Blues Gang and that was the first time when PAS had a live concert at its premises!,” he said, adding that the concert was attended by many PAS leaders.
Explaining his portfolio, the Universiti of Teknologi Petronas lecturer said it is closely related to the young generation as he believes that everyone is entitled to entertainment, arts or simply enjoying life.
“Most of young people come from the entertainment, culture and arts industry and we are trying to engage them, especially those who are influential and dominant.
“To me, this portfolio emphasises on ideology, philosophy and the value of culture that have become the core of life.
“Activities such as musical performances, painting, singing are all derived from philosophies. Without strengthening these values, the meaning of arts would be empty, just mere entertainment,” he said.
Muhaimin said he was aware that under the leadership of former Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan PAS chose to protest against concerts and call for bans against shows deemed ‘unIslamic’, but this he said, was just a matter of differing views.
“Our differences have never been an issue. Most importantly, each of us carries out our responsibility. Even the component parties in Pakatan Rakyat have different ideologies.
“If before this Nasrudin seemed to be reserved, now he can play a guitar in public and mingle with street buskers.
“Therefore, I don’t think our image carries any weight to how we carry ourselves in the party,” he said.
Muhaimin said despite PAS’ conservative image, the party has been receptive to its ideas and proposals, and has been asking him to organise more arts and culture programmes.
“Many PAS leaders took great care of our portfolio, even the late (Ulama leader) Abu Bakar Chik was one of those who helped us a lot.
“He was the one who established ‘Kawan Selebriti’ as a new mechanism for celebrities to engage with the party. We even called him ‘Papa rock’ because he looked a lot like (Rock singer) Ramli Sarip,” he added.
He concluded by expressing his wish that PAS embrace the diversity in other segments of society, especially the youth, by engaging them through arts and music.
