DAP today claimed that the government has actively taken steps to turn the country into a 'real' Islamic state since ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad declared that Malaysia was an Islamic state in 2001.

Its publicity secretary Ronnie Liu said the government has produced various books and programmes on the subject while scholars have been sent to the Middle East to study systems used by countries there.

As an example, he cited the controversial booklet Malaysia adalah sebuah negara Islam (Malaysia is an Islamic state) published in 2001 by the Information Ministry. The booklet was subsequently withdrawn following objections from non-Muslims.

Liu also referred to press reports of study trips exchanged between Islamic scholars in Malaysia and the Middle East.

"It's just a matter of time before the Barisan Nasional government officially uses its two-third majority with the Parliament to amend the Federal Constitution," he said in a statement.

"No one would believe that politicians like (Gerakan secretary-general) Chia Kwang Chye and non-Muslim MPs (in the ruling Barisan Nasionl) would say no when their personal interests and official positions are at stake," he added.

No changes

Liu was responding to Chia's explanation of Gerakan's recent concession that Malaysia was an Islamic country, just over two years after Mahathir made the declaration on Sept 29, 2001.

During the recent question and answer forum in malaysiakini, Chia said despite the declaration, the Federal Constitution was not amended nor were there any changes to the lifestyles of Malaysians.

However, Liu disagreed. He said the recent controversies involving the 'morality police' suggested an opposite development.

"How could Chia argue that there has been no change to our lifestyles when young lovers are being slapped with summonses for holding hands in parks?

"In Johor Bahru, dog-owners are now required to secure letters of consent from their Muslim neighbours before they can apply for a license," he said.

Liu also pointed to other recently imposed regulations such as restrictions on bak kut teh (pork broth) stalls in Shah Alam as an abandoned plan by the Kajang municipality to ban open selling of pork.

"All these have taken place after the declaration by Mahathir. (Chia) has no power to see that no amendment is made to the Federal Constitution," he added.

Secular state

Meanwhile, the DAP leader also defended his party's assertion that Malaysia was a secular state although Islam was the official religion

"Malaysia was established as a secular state because the country is historically a multi-racial, multi-religious country. Yes, Islam is the official religion but this does not make Malaysia an Islamic state. Just as Thailand is not a Buddhist state although Buddhism is the official religion," he said.

Liu said Malaysia's membership in the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) was also not an indication since a number of other member nations, such as Indonesia, Egypt and Turkey were not Islamic states either.

The squabble over the Islamic state issue is expected to take main stage in the encounters between DAP and Gerakan ahead of the next general election.

Both sides have been gearing up for their prospective battle for Penang, the only state in Peninsular Malaysia with non-Muslim voters in majority.