PAS' support for the militant Palestinian organisation, Hamas, and jihad (holy war) did not mean that the party has turned radical, said its president Abdul Hadi Awang.

He said there was nothing wrong in recognising Hamas as a legitimate liberation organisation as it represented the Palestinian people who have been long abused by the Israeli regime.

"Is it wrong to support a group of people who are fighting the cruel acts of Israel, which uses sophisticated arms against children with stones and pebbles?" he asked.

Abdul Hadi, who is also parliamentary opposition leader, was speaking at a press conference after delivering his presidential speech at the PAS 49th muktamar (annual assembly) at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Attacks justified

Rejecting the idea that supporting Hamas and jihad would tarnish PAS' image, the president said the party's stand would instead help enhance its image as an organisation that supported the struggle against injustices.

However, Abdul Hadi was quick to note that his party did not support acts of terrorism such as the recent bombings in Bali and Jakarta, Indonesia.

"That (the bombing in Bali and Jakarta) is different. Islam does not permit us to kill innocent people like tourists or traders. Palestine is a different situation. Chechnya also has a different situation," he said.

He said the suicide bombing attacks against Israel were justified as the latter had committed various injustices and cruelties against innocent Muslims as what has happened in Deir Yassin, Sabra, Shatilla and Jenin.

"Suicide bombing is accepted in Islam if in order to save thousands of lives, one or two individuals are willing to sacrifice their own. I'm not the one allowing this. It was accepted in Islam since the time of the Prophet," he said.

He also said the party did not subscribe to definitions of 'radical' and 'extremists' as imposed

by the West but preferred a more comprehensive understanding of the term that addressed the demands of justice.

He added that since their children were being killed and women violated, these groups had every right to fight for their rights.

BN's fear

On issues closer to home, the PAS president said the party was not only confident of retaining control over Terengganu and Kelantan in the upcoming general election but believes that it can secure more seats as well.

He said the party has succeeded in stamping its mark as a political party that will be able to reform the country by working with other parties in the opposition Barisan Alternatif coalition.

"We have moved for change and the people support this. The Umno and BN (Barisan Nasional) know this too. That is why lately they have gone to great lengths to stop us from reaching the people through our activities and ceramah (political talks).

"They fear this change and they have no idea how to curb it. They are desperate and that is why they are using the Election Commission and the police to stop us as what happened to us in Seremban (Negeri Sembilan) when we tried to launch our Gagasan Selatan programme," he said.

Gagasan Selatan comprises a series of activities and ceramah for three states - Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor - to garner support from these BN-stronghold states.

However, the police prevented the party from holding its activities and the party was forced to move the event to its Seremban headquarters.

Regarding the inclusion of non-Muslims as PAS associate members, Hadi said the matter was still being discussed but said that there is no immediate plan to finalise the issue.

"The non-Muslims who share our vision are welcome to join Keadilan or DAP. Right now we want to focus in getting support from Muslims. We also do not want to get embroiled in a membership war (with PAS allies).

"What is important now is that our cooperation within BA is strengthened so that we can face the coming general election without major problems," he said.