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Muslim Party Solid on 'Islamic state' in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (IslamOnline) - The Party Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) said on Tuesday that it was not relinquishing the idea of the establishment of an Islamic state in Malaysia.
On Monday the Democratic Action Party (DAP) said the issue of the Islamic State might bring the opposition Alternative Front (AF) to the brink of a major split.
PAS Secretary General said on that the AF manifesto leaves the door open for the establishment of an Islamic state, adding that it also calls for the creation of a favorable atmosphere towards the affirmation of Islam as a way of life.
"A way of life covers a wide spectrum. We always talked about having good governance and this may be achieved through an Islamic government," Nasharuddin Mat Isa said.
He cited the manifesto that stipulates, "We shall create a favorable atmosphere, through the provision of infrastructure, education and legislation, towards the affirmation of Islam as a way of life among Muslims."
It continues by saying it engages to ensure "the rights of non-Muslims to practice their respective religions or beliefs."
Analysts in Kuala Lumpur told IslamOnline on Tuesday night that the PAS insistence on the issue has set it on a collision course with the DAP, which is campaigning for a secular state.
DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang said the PAS decision made the front "untenable" while his party deputy chairman, Karpal Singh, urged the PAS to leave the front.
However, a member of the PAS told IslamOnline that he felt the issue of creating an Islamic state would be a certainty if the PAS came to power in Malaysia.
"It is a non-starter for those who do not want an Islamic state. The PAS pledges to the Muslims to implement an Islamic state in Malaysia. If it is in power, it is automatic that there will be such a transformation," he said.
The PAS has been discussing the issue with its partners in the AF coalition, in opposition to an order to prepare the electorate for the eventuality of the implementation of Islam as the style of governance in Malaysia.
A week ago, the wife of Anwar Ibrahim, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, was severely criticized by a member of the DAP for her comments supporting the idea that "there were the possibility of an Islamic state in Malaysia."
"The process of making Malaysia an Islamic state is important, especially the process of justice which is paramount in the religion, and what the NJP is looking for," Wan Ismail reportedly said.
However, her party, the National Justice Party (NJP), rectified its stance stating that the PAS had to abandon the idea of nationwide Islamization in the country.
In a statement to a local newspaper, the PAS said the issue of an Islamic state has been the struggle of the Islamic party since its creation.
PAS insiders told IslamOnline that there was little chance that the PAS or the DAP would leave the coalition since the "DAP is a part and parcel of the AF."
"The PAS pledges to maintain its leadership within the AF. However we are not certain of the hidden agenda's of the DAP. We are clear on our stand," said a party source, who wished to remain anonymous.
Chief Minister Abdul Hadi Awang of Terengganu told Islam Online in an interview last week that he was leading the PAS delegation engaged in talks with components of the AF over several issues of importance.
Hadi Awang also told Islam Online that his government in Terengganu, which is laying the foundation of an Islamic State in Malaysia claims that a large number of non-Muslims, in both Kelantan and Terengganu, support the idea of an Islamic state in Malaysia.
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