Has PAS made an about-turn on its promotion of an Islamic state and implementation of hudud laws? Only certain government leaders seem to think so, according to PAS executive committee Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli.

Responding to recent statements in the media, he said there has been no change in PAS policies on the two issues.

On Aug 17, the media reported that acting PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had announced a change in the party's election strategy as outlined in a document, 'Formulae for Success'. Copies had been circulated among the PAS leadership for feedback.

Hatta said acting president Abdul Hadi Awang was merely explaining the party's strategy vis-a-vis working with its partners in Barisan Alternatif (BA) for the upcoming general election.

He further said that statements on PAS' co-operation with coalition partners have no bearing on the party's own mission and goals.

On Aug 15, Deputy Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin said PAS was planning a "two-prong strategy" to gain the support of Malays and, at the same time, avoid adverse reaction from non-Muslims.

Three days later, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi levelled the charge that PAS was lying, "saying one thing to Malays, while with the non-Malays it has a different message altogether". He described the purported change as an act of "political gimmickry".

On Aug 19, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said PAS was offering two manifestos in order to "trick the people".

'Two-tier' strategy

Hatta said he could not see why there should be any confusion, because the party continues to uphold its goals and objectives.

"We are definitely not abandoning the struggle for an Islamic state and implementation of Islamic laws. That is still one of our ultimate goals," he said.

"Furthermore, no one in the (BA) coalition can ask any party to drop its goals because every party has its particular goals and objectives which it strives to achieve on its own," Hatta said.

Explaining Hadi's use of the term "strategic partnership", Hatta said PAS "has to plan how the party will co-operate with our partners". The coalition will have to collectively determine the elements of its common platform for the election.

"We wouldn't call it a two-prong strategy as some others might have put it. Perhaps a 'two-tier' strategy would be a better choice of words," he said.

"BA has an overall memorandum on which all the parties will agree. This is something that we have to work with. Parallel to this, as with other parties, we will have our own memorandum distinct to the party."

'Document stolen'

As how people outside the party could have gotten hold of Hadi's document - since it was only meant for circulation within PAS - Hatta said he was not surprised it has landed in the hands of Umno officials.

"If the party (Umno) can stealing the wealth of the country, I don't think they would have any qualms about stealing some pieces of paper," he alleged.

PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar, asked to comment on Mahathir's claims that PAS was "tricking the people", said the prime minister himself was guilty of trickery when he made the announcement in September 2001 that Malaysia is an Islamic state.

"He was deceiving two groups of people at the same time. On the one hand, he was trying to fool Muslims by claiming that Malaysia is an Islamic state, despite the laws and acts of the government to the contrary," Mahfuz said.

"On the other hand, he was tricking non-Muslims into believing that such things as casinos, oppression and other injustices are allowed in an Islamic state."

Mahathir's declaration drew flak from several quarters, notably the DAP, which then launched its 'No to 929' campaign to oppose any form of Islamic state being implemented in Malaysia.

DAP's opposition to PAS's aim of setting up an Islamic state has also resulted in the former to leave the opposition coalition in 2001.