The Islamic state under PAS will have non-Muslims in government leadership posts except for that of the prime minister, which is reserved for a Muslim.

It was learnt today that this is part of PAS' Islamic-state blueprint which was recently approved by the party's powerful Majlis Syura (Consultative Council).

"The head of government has to be someone who believes in the ideology of the state. That is only natural and fair. But the other cabinet posts will be open to Muslims and non-Muslims alike," said a party source.

The Muslim-based opposition party's version of Islamic state will also preserve the democratic parliamentary institutions of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.

The source said that the model will safeguard the country's democratic decision-making process.

It is uncertain how this would sit alongside with the ulama or religious scholars, who have special powers under the Islamic state.

But while PAS has confirmed the completion of its Islamic state blueprint, details remain sketchy.

Hudud for Muslims only

According to a report in Singapore's Straits Times today, the blueprint also stated that all Muslims will be subjected to the hudud law, while non-Muslims will remain under the present criminal penal code.

The Islamic hudud law stipulates punishments for criminal activities such as the amputation of limbs for stealing and stoning to death for adultery.

Party sources said the blueprint would also do away with the present affirmative action policies based on bumiputera status in favour of a means-tested alternative.

Non-Muslims will be given full citizenship rights and any affirmative action policies under PAS' Islamic state will cut across racial lines.

Under PAS' version of Islamic state, non-Muslims will not be classified as dhimmis and will only be expected to pay income tax and not any special tithe.

This differs from the statements made by leaders in PAS-led Terengganu state government.

It was earlier reported that the Islamic state under PAS would include the concept of dhimmis , which refers to non-Muslims who live in a society governed by Muslim rulers and laws.

Dhimmis have limited rights and autonomy, and are subject to a different tax system from the Muslims.

No release date set

When contacted, PAS secretary-general Nasharudin Mat Isa confirmed that the document has been completed but declined to elaborate further on the contents of the blueprint until a decision is made to publicise it.

"It is not a memorandum on the Islamic state. It is only the party's memorandum to the people of Malaysia," he said.

Nasharudin also refused to provide a date when the document would be made public, saying only that the party would have to await a "right time".

"It will not be in weeks. I can only say that now is not the right time," he said, although adding that the document would be released before the general election.

Islamic state declaration

The Islamic state issue became a national controversy after PAS declared in 1999 that it would set up its version of an Islamic state if it comes into power.

In response to this, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad made a counter-declaration on Sept 29, 2001 that Malaysia is already an Islamic state, setting off another round of debate between the two sides as to what would constitute a true Islamic state.

Mahathir had challenged PAS to put down in writing what it meant by an Islamic state, and PAS has since worked on its blueprint.

The issue has also wrecked havoc to the short-lived Barisan Alternatif four-party alliance, forcing the withdrawal of DAP, on grounds that its secular policies was incompatible with PAS' aim.

Meanwhile, both the Islamic state declaration by Mahathir and the PAS aim of setting up its version of a theocratic state have also been strongly opposed by other groups, including religious groups and non-government organisations.