Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) secured its first elected seat in East Malaysia at the Sabah state elections in November 2025, marking a significant milestone for the Islamist party traditionally rooted in Peninsular Malaysia. Aliakbar Gulasan, 55, won the Karambunai constituency in an 11-cornered contest, a diverse area that includes a mix of ethnicities and religions.

PAS’s breakthrough in Sabah, a state with a population of about 3.7 million and a substantial Christian minority, reflects a deliberate strategy centered on grassroots engagement and social services. At the heart of this approach is the party’s extensive network of Islamic pre-schools, known as PASTI, which run across Sabah and other parts of Malaysia. With 123 centres in Sabah alone serving over 7,200 children aged four to six, these pre-schools provide affordable early childhood education with a curriculum inclusive of Islamic teachings such as Quran memorization. Fees range between RM60 to RM150 ($19 to $47), significantly lower than commercial childcare alternatives, making them accessible in Malaysia’s poorest state.

The party’s youth wing founded PASTI in the late 1980s in Kelantan and Terengganu, and the network has since expanded to nearly 2,500 centres nationwide, employing about 10,000 teachers and educating over 125,000 students. Analysts say the pre-schools serve not only as educational institutions but also as community hubs where PAS activists engage with families, build relationships, and cultivate long-term support. This grassroots foundation is credited with expanding PAS’s influence beyond its strongholds in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah into states like Sabah, Selangor, and Penang.

While PAS is frequently viewed as a Malay-Muslim centric and conservative party, Aliakbar’s success in the ethnically and religiously diverse Sabah has been attributed to his moderate personal style and pragmatic outreach to non-Muslim communities. Sabah’s Christian population, constituting roughly 25 percent of the state, has historically been wary of Islamist politics. Nevertheless, Aliakbar, a former university lecturer with ties to Christian relatives through marriage, has shown respect for religious plurality by participating in local Christian festivals, extending holiday greetings, and making donations to churches and community celebrations such as the Kadazan-Dusun-Murut harvest festival, Kaamatan.

Supporters and rivals alike have recognized Aliakbar’s efforts to present a softer, more inclusive image of PAS politics. Remy Martin Gunsalam, a grassroots leader from Parti Warisan, a key competitor in the region, acknowledged Aliakbar’s community contributions and accessibility, noting his popularity among younger constituents.

Political analysts suggest that Aliakbar’s victory reflects more about his individual branding than a fundamental transformation of PAS ideology. Tan Seng Keat of Merdeka Center described the win as leveraging Aliakbar’s role as a nominated state assemblyman since 2020 to build local support. Kamles Kumar from Asia Group Advisors added that Aliakbar represents a “dark horse” approach that broadens PAS’s appeal without altering the party’s core religious stance.

PAS’s Sabah breakthrough underscores the effectiveness of sustained grassroots outreach, particularly through social services like education, in expanding political influence within diverse communities. It also highlights the balance the party seeks between ideological commitment and pragmatic engagement as it aims to strengthen its presence in key Malaysian states including Selangor and Penang.