The long-awaited PAS memorandum on the Islamic state - to be revealed tomorrow - will only be part of a series of explanations on this form of governance, according to party sources.

One source told malaysiakini that PAS leaders will prepare a second document to address "practical" policies, such as ways of dealing with non-Muslims, its two-tier administration policy and the Federal Constitution.

"What we have now is only the party's principles on the Islamic state. The next document will be more extensive, in that it will tackle issues about which the layperson, especially non-Muslims, would like to know," he said.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang is expected to release additional details during the launch.

The source, however, refused to say whether the move is being made in response to criticism that the memorandum fails to address core issues.

"The (central working committee members) met yesterday morning and they are aware of the nagging questions that we cannot afford to ignore. It must be remembered that the credibility of the memorandum has not been questioned, but only its comprehensiveness," he said.

It was reported on Friday that the memorandum was not comprehensive enough to convince non-Muslims that their rights and freedom will be protected under the Islamic form of governance.

Party sources said this had caused uneasiness among certain PAS leaders, who felt that the approach and language used may not be understood by the general public, especially non-Muslims.

Multi-level approvals

Disputing this view, a party worker close to the top leadership said there is nothing wrong with the memorandum, which is based on extensive research and has been approved at several levels of the party.

He claimed that it is unfair to brand the memorandum as incomplete just because it does not address certain issues like the party's two-tier administration policy.

"It states the party's basic principles for an Islamic state. We have already stated that for core issues like freedom of religion, rights of non-Muslims...we can't go into detail at this stage," said the party worker.

"This document is based on research that started during the tenure of (the late president) Fadzil Noor and was presented time and again before it was approved. Those with doubts have been given ample time to voice their objections, so there is little room now for anyone to doubt the contents of the memorandum."

He also defended the use of Arabic and extensive quotation of verses from the Quran and hadith (Traditions of Prophet Muhammad) in the memorandum, since these are two main sources of reference for the document.

"Furthermore, the launch will not mark the end of the process. We have made plans to hold briefings at state level. Our information chief Dr Harun Din is taking the matter very seriously," he said.

The source, meanwhile, expressed his hope that differences of opinion would not give the impression that there is a split in the party.

"This not a battle between the ulama (religious scholars) and professionals, or the old and the young... this does not exist in PAS. Whenever there is an issue, everyone is allowed to air their views, which is healthy for the party," he said.

"Throughout several years (with the party), I have seen individuals arguing passionately with one another over an issue and backing one another with the same passion on other issues. So, there is nothing to worry about."

The issue of the Islamic state has proven to be a prickly one for the party whose views and policies have not gone down well with the government and its political allies.

PAS has since given assurances that it has no intention of changing the Federal Constitution and has also denied that it will establish a theocratic Islamic state.