Yusof Rawa

Yusof Rawa
President of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party
In office 1983–1989
Preceded by	Asri Muda
Succeeded by	Fadzil Noor
Spiritual Leader of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party
In office 1987–1995
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat
Personal details
Born	Lebuh Acheh, Penang
Spouse(s)	Kalsom Ali
Children	Mujahid Yusof Rawa
Parents	Abdullah Nordin al-Rawi

Yusof Rawa (died 27 April 2000) was a Malaysian politician. He was a member of the Parliament of Malaysia and from 1983 to 1989 served as President of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS). His legal name was Yusof Abdullah.^[1]

Early career

Yusof joined PAS in 1951, and notably unseated future Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad from the seat of Kota Setar Selatan in the 1969 election.^[1][2] Yusof was appointed as a Deputy Minister while PAS was a member of the governing Barisan Nasional coalition in the 1970s, and also served as Malaysia's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Turkey and Iran.^[1]

President of PAS

Yusof became the President of PAS in 1983, winning the post uncontested after a leadership crisis in the party.^[3] His election was seen as a victory for the ulama faction of the party as his predecessor, Asri Muda, was considered not an alim.^[4] Asri's leadership was notable for the shifting of PAS's outlook towards Malay nationalism. Both joining the Barisan Nasional coalition and moving away from religious-based policy platforms caused the party to lose support.^[5]

Yusof subsequently attempted to increase the influence of the ulama within PAS,^[6] surrounding himself with ulama leaders such as Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and Abdul Hadi Awang.^[7] The direction of his leadership of the party was seen as firmly Islamist:^[8] under his presidency, the party adopted an Islamic State as official policy, and proposed to limit the powers of Parliament to be subject to the oversight of an "Ulama Assembly".^[7] At the same time, he steered the party away from Malay nationalism and introduced significant changes to the party's internal structure. One change was to introduce the position of "Spiritual Leader", of which he was the first occupant.^[7] His leadership style has been described as "fiery and outspoken".^[7] He resigned in 1989 citing health reasons,^[9] and was replaced by his deputy Fadzil Noor,^[10] who set the party on a more moderate path.^[11]

Personal life

Yusof died in Penang on 28 April 2000.^[1] His son, Mujahid Yusof Rawa, became a member of parliament in 2008.^[12]

References

1. "Demise of a respected Islamic leader, scholar". New Straits Times. 28 April 2000. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
2. "Do not be complacent, says Dr Mahathir". New Straits Times. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
3. "Pas will be reorganised, says Yusof Rawa". New Straits Times. 24 April 1983. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
4. Liew Chin Tong (2007). Southeast Asian Affairs 2007. p. 206. ISBN 981-230-442-8.
5. Matheson Hooker, Virginia; Norani Othman (2003). Malaysia: Islam, society and politics. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 204. ISBN 981-230-161-5.
6. Matheson Hooker, Virginia; Norani Othman (2003). Malaysia: Islam, society and politics. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 208. ISBN 981-230-161-5.
7. Farish Noor. "Blood, sweat and jihad: the radicalization of the political discourse of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) from 1982 onwards". Contemporary Southeast Asia (1 August 2003).
8. Joseph Chinyong Liow (2009). Piety and Politics: Islamism in Contemporary Malaysia. Oxford University Press US. p. 75. ISBN 0-19-537708-7.
9. "Yusof Rawa to quit as Pas president". New Straits Times. 16 February 1989. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
10. A. Ghani Ismail (5 April 1989). "Change puts Pas leadership at the crossroads". New Straits Times. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
11. Liow, Joseph Chinyong (2009). Piety and Politics: Islamism in Contemporary Malaysia. Oxford University Press. p. 76 – via Questia. (subscription required (help)).
12. "Game for laughs". The Star. 12 May 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2010.