Former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Hishamuddin Rais stated at a gathering in Penang last night that no one should turn the word ''secular'' into one as fearful and intimidating as the ISA.

"For me, I am not intimidated to say that I am a secular human being. Secular does not mean I do not believe in God. Secular means the utilisation of the human mind for the betterment of civilisation," he told the 1,000-odd crowd at the dinner organised by Keadilan.

Hishamuddin also proposed at the function, held in honour of the ISA 6 who were released recently, that Malaysians struggle for a democratic and secular state.

He called upon intellectuals, working class citizens, artists, labourers and all to think seriously about building a truly democratic and secular nation - "a Malaysia that we can all be proud of".

Hishamuddin were among the reformasi 6 - Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua, Youth leader Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, supreme council members Saari Sungib, Lokman Nor Adam and Dr Badrolamin Baharon - who were incarcerated for allegedly planning to topple the government via militancy, a charge they vehemently denied. The government has yet to provide any proof of their alleged activities.

Tian Chua and Saari Sungib were also present at the dinner last night. Others who attended included Penang Keadilan chairperson Dr Mansor Othman, deputy chairpersons Teoh Teik Huat and Cheah Kah Peng, Penang PRM chairperson Gary Nair and vice-president Rohana Ariffin. DAP members of Parliament Goh Kheng Huat (Nibong Tebal) and Lim Hock Seng (Bagan) were also among the guests.

Be counted

Saying that he is not a member of any political party, Hishamuddin called upon individuals like him to stand up and be counted in the fight for democracy and secularism in the country.

He also suggested that the issue be debated openly in order to dispel fear among Malaysians of the "secular" word.

"We cannot overcome the dark side of our history without understanding the real meaning of secularism," he added.

Asked if Keadilan should make a stand on the issue of Islamic state or that PAS abandon its Islamic policies, Hishamuddin said he did not wish to be dragged into their politics.

Mounting pressure

PAS is facing mounting pressure from its partners in Barisan Alternatif to reconsider its quest for an Islamic state.

Former partner DAP left the BA in 2001 due to its inability to resolve the Islamic state issue with PAS.

Early this month, PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali said the party would review its relations with PAS in the BA if the former is bent on pushing for its Islamic agenda without consultation.

PAS acting president Abdul Hadi Awang had dismissed the matter as ''untruth told by the media'', while Keadilan has not made a clear stand on the issue.