PAS’ PAS For All campaign which it claims “cuts across communal and religious lines” (Star, p14, 12 Sep 07) hides a sinister motive of its plan of getting all Malaysians accept in version of an Islamic state based on hudud laws. It was only in 2004 during the General Elections that PAS embarked on a hudud law fold which saw many Malaysians deserting PAS and opting to elect the BN government

At the press conference, PAS deputy president Datuk Nasharuddin Mat Isa was evasive and unable to quell the fears of non-Muslims on PAS’ push for an Islamic state. He said, “We are explaining the substance rather than debating on the form,” which could be defined as PAS having already institutionalised an Islamic theocratic state ideology, and is now making efforts to ensure that non-Muslims submit to this Islamic state-based hudud system of governance.

Nasharuddin must have been kidding when he said that “he believed the mood is there for a change.” He has completely misread the situation because even prior to Independence, the Alliance which later became known as the Barisan Nasional government has been repeatedly voted back into office.

If there really is a mood for change, then it would be to remove the PAS government from controlling Kelantan state. Presently, the PAS assemblymen hold a tiny lead over their BN counterparts with only a three-seat majority in the Kelantan state assembly.

Using Chinese lion dances or Indian miruthengam instruments to launch their campaign amount to nothing more than outward appearances. Why didn’t PAS consider using some form of multi-racial fanfare when it first seized power in the past before its support began to erode as it is now currently? Similarly why is PAS forming PAS Chinese clubs and PAS Indian clubs? Why can’t it just accept anyone regardless of ethnic origin in as members? PAS’s move is not inclusive. Rather, it is a front to say that “you’re still ‘the other’ and not part of us, but we don’t want you to notice that!”

PAS can call its campaign by whichever name. But we know smarter, and we’d say, “let’s just give it a pass.”