Kumutha Rahman

Who is Kumutha Rahman?

Kumutha Rahman is a Malaysian politician who is a member of the PAS Supporters Club, a club started by the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party for its non-Muslim supporters. PAS, by virtue of the party's constitution, admits only Muslims as its members. The setting up of the Supporters Club was seen as a small step to open up the membership of the party to non-Muslims who share its ideology and beliefs.

Kumutha is a Hindu and the first non-Muslim to contest for PAS. However she contested under the Parti Keadilan Rakyat ticket as the PAS constitution did not allow non-Muslims to contests using its ticket. This was done under a special arrangement with PKR for the 2008 Malaysian general elections. This was an experiment of sorts for PAS as they were opening up their party struggles to non-Muslims and Kumutha was seen as paving the way for a new sort of politics for the Muslim party.

Kumutha was also Johor state PAS sole female candidate to contest a state seat in the 2008 Malaysian general elections. She contested the Tiram state seat. Kumutha is chief of the Johor PAS Supporters Club's women division.

“Education and medical needs will be among the issues I will focus on,” said Kumutha when campaigning for the elections. She added that she would fight for the rights of all races, especially for the abolishment of racial quotas to enter local universities and for free medical services for the poor.