Do you think leadership by 'ulama' (religious scholars) will be a permanent feature in PAS leadership while other well-established Islamic movements such as Ikhwanul Muslimun, Hamas and those in Turkey have long considered it not a necessity?

Suhaimi


Nasharuddin: PAS is a democratic party guided by Islamic principles. The constitution of the party does not restrict the party's leadership to the 'ulama' or scholars only. Whilst the 'ulama' has brought success to the party in the case of Kelantan and Terengganu, many members of the party's higher echelon are professionals and academics. We also enjoy continued success in attracting professionals to the party, and currently 60 percent of our membership applicants are professionals.

In reality, the 'ulama' leadership in PAS is actually working hand in hand with the professionals in PAS, and they together form the best partnership any Islamic party can hope for. In short, the 'ulama' leadership is giving PAS the best of both worlds and keeping the balance of PAS between the material and spiritual world.



Everyone is aware that the key platform from which PAS (together with Keadilan) intends to fight the next election is justice, freedom and equality. I applaud its ambition. However, we have heard very little about its economic policy. The federal budget has been in deficit for the last six years. The BN government's fiscal and budgetary policy has been largely reactive during this period (e.g. the recent mid-term stimulus package).

It is arguable that the BN government had very little room to maneuver in these depressed regional and global conditions. But it is undeniable that the treasury cannot sustain these measures for much longer without severe long-term impact on the country's public finances. What does PAS propose to do about this if it comes into office?

KY Low


I concur with you that the current economic policies are unsustainable over the long term. As it is, the fiscal deficit is going to breach six percent of our GDP (above the international best practice benchmark). I find that the BN has been desperate to pump prime the economy via debt financing. This would mean that any future government would inherit a tremendous debt burden.

The consequences of which policy options will be limited. For example, BA is desirous to introduce a low-tax regime in Malaysia. However, debt servicing and payment burden will hinder our effort towards a low-tax regime.

PAS/BA has already articulated it's economic strategy and proposed budget initiatives in the BA budget 2003 which was tabled in Parliament by Opposition Leader Abdul Hadi Awang.

One of BA's economic strategies is to bring a fiscal balance by being prudent in operating expenditure and reducing development expenditure without providing less for the people of Malaysia.

We can achieve this by cost efficiencies through priorities allocation of resources, transparent
procurement and better service delivery. We also propose to increase government revenue by maximising returns from government held institution and funds.

Note: Please e-mail to cabearth2@yahoo.com for a copy of the BA budget 2003 or call 019-314-9201 (Abdul Rahman) for a copy to be mailed to you.



Who do you have within the PAS party who is as charismatic, candid, learned, visionary and outspoken as the current prime minister in international summits or conferences? Someone who is able to win respect, someone who other countries - developed, undeveloped or newly developed - would listen to and support? PAS leaders seem to revolve around the Muslim nations only like Jordan, Istanbul, Indonesia, etc. How do you expect us the voters to believe that PAS has capable leaders, not only at home but also at the international front?

Jazakallah


The Acting President of PAS, Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang is a respected and credible leader and Islamic scholar. We are trying to bridge apprehension of Islam and has met with governments of various western countries. Within the Islamic countries, the Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang is very much popular and well respected.

PAS has developed leaders at all levels of the party. Our leaders have reached out to other governments and diplomatic community.

PAS is also a component of Barisan Alternatif and within BA we have leaders like Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is a respected and well known Malaysian leader at International level.

Given the strong criticism and concern voiced by international community on his illegal detention and miscarriage of justice, we are confident that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains relevant and important within the global context.

The combination of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang will provide an awesome leadership that will carry Malaysia proudly into the 21st century and develop Malaysia into a great nation.

We do however have an organisation structure but this does not change the fact that a consensus is always sought after in matters related to policies and major decisions.



The next general elections will see a lot of fence sitters, those who are fed up with the abuses of BN and these voters are waiting for signs from PAS and the other alternative parties to indicate what is in store for the country if in the event that there should be a change in the government. But before that can happen the alternative parties must have a comprehensive programme to convince the fence-sitters why they should be voted in.

Can you enlighten us on why we should vote the alternatives in and how they will get together (obviously it is unlikely that any of the alternative parties can do it alone) to provide better governance of our beloved country.

Lonestar


The main reason why the people of Malaysia should vote us into power is the fact that the BA is committed towards stopping all of BN abuses that most fence sitters are sick of.

The BA however, is not only committed to that end but also can provide an equal, if not better, programmes and policies than that of Barisan Nasional.

For instance, Dr Mahathir's Wawasan 2020 advocates a 'Bangsa Malaysia' approach in which each and every race in Malaysia will have to abandon their identity and adopt an identity specified by guidelines of Wawasan 2020.

The BA in contrast feels that such an approach is unrealistic and can never materialise. The BA instead advocates the 'Unity in diversity' policy in which each Malaysian will be able to adopt their own unique identity while operating as one cohesive and unified nation.

Second, what is more important is in terms of implementation of the policies. I admit the BN has
been prolific in articulating policies but the same can't be said of their achievement. Many Malaysians are unaware the Vision 2020 targets are almost unattainable now. Our competitiveness ranking have dropped from 14 to 26 and we have one of the highest income disparity in the region (only exceeded by Papua New Guinea).

In short, the BN's policies are full of hype but wanting in results.

At the same time, the failures in implementing the programmes have resulted in losses amounting in billions of ringgit. For instance, the Perwaja project had cost the Malaysian public a sum of RM18 billion and now it is on the verge of collapse with hopes of recovering the RM18 billion of taxpayers' money almost none. BA on the other hand would adopt a more realistic and practical approach and programmes for Malaysia. Programmes that will benefit Malaysians as a whole and not a small few.



As a non-Muslim, I am rather worried about the radical thinking of the PAS government in future. If PAS has won the next elections, is PAS going to abolish parliamentary system of Malaysia like what happened in Iran. As I believe all human beings are equal in Islam, will PAS abolish the current Malay special rights such as new economic policy as what the BN government is practicing now?

KY Lim


Firstly, let me assure you that PAS' ideology is nowhere near to being radical. We were not the ones who demonstrated in front of the Chinese Assembly Hall shouting for the Chinese race to go back to China. Neither were we the ones whom had taken out our kris and vowed to smear it with the blood of Chinese.

These words were uttered by those who claim to be representing moderate and progressive Islam. We were also not the ones behind the May 13 incident, the Kampung Medan incident, the 1987 racial tension, etc.

We have also treated non-Muslims in Kelantan dan Terengganu with respect and equality, and had given them rights to possession with no difference then the rest of the population. Therefore, we feel that the term radical cannot be attributed to us at all considering our track record.

This is because our ideology happens to be founded in Islam and Islam teaches its followers to be calm and rational in handling any matter. To mistreat others just on the basis of their colour and creed is considered in Islam as being cruel and oppressive and we as Muslims believe that such act will only invite the wrath of God upon us.

As for the parliamentary system of Malaysia, not only PAS will not abolish it, but on the other hand, will be committed to further strengthen the institution. We have called upon many times in the parliament for the proceedings to be broadcasted live throughout Malaysia but until now the call has never been entertained by the ruling party.

If you look at Terengganu, you will find that we have taken the initiative to broadcast the DUN proceedings live over the Internet.

We have already outlined our reforms of the parliamentary institution in the BA manifesto, and we are committed to it.

As for Iran, they have not abolished their parliament neither have they abolished free and fair elections. They have merely altered the system to fit their own requirement in the interest of the people of Iran.

On the question of Malay rights, PAS is committed to affirmative action for the poor. We have also translated this stand into practice in Terengganu where we do not discriminate base on race and creed.

In the words of the PAS president, the New Economic Policy has been used by Umno to enrich cronies and their families (in short, Umnoputra).



Apakah sikap PAS pada aspek kebudayaan dan kesenian, khususnya kepada kebebasan berekspersi? Bagaimana PAS melihat kepelbagaian mazhab dalam Islam? Adakah PAS memberikan ruang terbuka untuk perdebatan mazhab, ideologi dan anutan.

Husna M


PAS mendokong dasar-dasar kebudayaan dan kesenian berteraskan pembinaan insan. Kesenian dan kebudayaan seharusnya mendidik orang ramai ke arah kebaikan dan berusaha untuk membaiki diri, bukannya meyemai budaya melalaikan serta menyuap mereka dengan cerita-cerita dongeng dan tahyul. Industri hiburan dan permainan kebudayaan perlu peka dan sensitif dengan persoalan hukum dan kepercayaan serta moral bersesuaian dengan adab masyarakat timur yang menjadi identiti masyarakat Malaysia.

PAS memberi kebebasan kepada para karyawan untuk berekspresi, tetapi mereka haruslah bertanggungjawab mendidik masyarakat ke arah kebaikan dan menyemai nilai-nilai murni selaras dengan kehendak agama dan moral budaya Malaysia. PAS memahami naluri manusia perlukan hiburan, tetapi ia perlu selari dengan ajaran agama agar manusia tidak terbabas dan terjerumus ke kancah yang meruntuhkan maruah mereka dan mengundang masalah sosial yang lain.

Bagi PAS, para karyawan dan budayawan perlu di dalam pembinaan masyarakat. Mereka perlu turut serta mengajak masyarakat mengamalkan nilai-nilai agama dan moral di dalam kehidupan seharian. Masyarakat hendaklah dihentikan daripada diisi dengan cerita-cerita tahyul dan dongeng. Kerajaan PAS Kelantan telah membuktikan bahawa PAS konsisten dengan dasar-dasar kebudayaan dan kesenian berteraskan pembinaan kemanusiaan bukannya dongeng dan tahyul. Kerajaan PAS Kelantan telah mengadakan kerjasama dengan Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka mempromosikan permainan wayang kulit versi baru yang memaparkan cerita-cerita harian masyarakat dan kisah-kisah yang membina masyarakat, bukannya cerita dongeng dan tahyul.

Bagi persoalan berkaitan dengan kepelbagaian fahaman dan aliran di dalam Islam, PAS berpegang pada prinsip dibolehkan berbeza pendapat di dalam perkara-perkara yang menuju ke arah kebaikan. PAS mendokong Mazhab Ahli As-Sunnah wal Jamaah dan bersedia untuk bekerjasama dengan mana-mana pihak bagi menegakkan Islam dan keadilan sejagat

PAS berpegang juga pada pendapat bahwa perbezaan madzhab tidak seharusnya menjadi sebab untuk berpecah belah dan bersengketa antara sesama Islam. Madzhab seharusnya menjadi alat kepada orang-orang yang tidak memahami Islam untuk mudah memahami Islam. Hakikatnya, di dalam PAS terdapat berbagai madzhab dan aliran pemikiran Islam walaupun dari segi Fiqh, secara tradisi, PAS mengikut aliran Madzhab Syafiiyyah, tetapi dalam banyak hal, PAS tidak berpegang dengan satu-satu madzhab sahaja. PAS terbuka kepada pendapat berbagai madzhab.

Misalnya di dalam mendrafkan Enakmen Syariah Terengganu-2 baru ini, semua pendapat madzhab telah dirujuk dan dijadikan asa. PAS tidak hanya merujuk kepada madzhab Syafiee sahaja. Ini satu bukti keterbukaan PAS terhadap pendapat madzhab.



Malaysians return Barisan Nasional to power all the time because we do not have a viable Alternative. Though Barisan Nasional headed by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is rotten, we do not have a choice. Do you think two-party system will ever become a reality in Malaysia?

Truly Looking


The two-party system is already in place in Malaysia. This is true with the formation of Barisan Alternatif, which is the main challenger to Barisan Nasional.

Barisan Alternatif (BA) is a viable alternative because we have a united front that represents all
races and is capable of governing the country. BA will endeavor to establish a free and fair Malaysian society based on good governance, transparency and accountability.

The only problem we face is that there is no level-playing field. Democracy is compromised and
disrespected by draconian election laws and gerry-mandering

Access to mainstream media is controlled and biased towards BN, and the ruling coalition is free to deploy public machinery such as RTM, JKR etc to work in their favour.

Legal hurdles are also used to oppress the 'second party'. For example, the Internal Security Act (ISA) is used by the BN to put behind bars for a period of time those whom the BN thinks can jeopardise them.