Fissures are appearing in Barisan Alternatif over PAS' decision to publish its Islamic state memorandum, which its partner Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) described as 'inappropriate and untimely' in view of the upcoming general election.

In a press statement released yesterday, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali expressed concern that the move could jeopardise BA's overall appeal to voters.

"We are of the opinion that the usage of the term Islamic state continues to raise misunderstanding and unnecessary fears among certain sections of society, especially among non-Muslims," they added.

'Sow discord'

The duo were also concerned that the document could be used by their rivals in Barisan Nasional "to weaken PAS and sow discord in the opposition front".

"PAS' document on the Islamic state could be blown out of proportion and context through the Umno-BN controlled media to threaten and frighten the rakyat.

"This will distract the rakyat from the real threat of the ruling elite's own machinations to maintain the unacceptable anti-rakyat status quo," they said.

According to Wan Azizah and Syed Husin, although PAS had the right to publish the memorandum, the document does not represent the election manifesto of the opposition front.

They said they were made to understand that the main purpose of the memorandum was to act as a guide for their members on the Islamic state issue and to assist them in explaining the concept to the public.

"All political parties have the right to uphold and explain their platforms and objectives. However, we would like to emphasise that this document does not involve BA, let alone Keadilan."

BA Manifesto

The Keadilan leaders also said BA will be continued to be guided by their manifesto "Towards a Just Malaysia" which was adopted jointly by BA coalition partners before the 1999 general election.

"The manifesto did not mention an Islamic state. The BA leadership council is now in the midst of updating the manifesto, making it relevant for the impending elections," they said.

They added that among the issues relevant to the BA were those relating to share values within the various faiths practised in Malaysia, including justice, truth, democracy, equality and transparency.

PAS' Islamic state agenda had long formed a bone of contention between the party and its allies.

In September 2001, DAP withdrew from BA after failing to resolve its dispute with PAS over the latter's aim to establish an Islamic state.

Last July, Syed Husin also spoke out strongly against PAS' Islamic state stand in his position then as the president of Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM).

He had criticised PAS for "bulldozing" its controversial policies without consulting other BA partners.

PRM has since merged with Parti Keadilan Nasional to form the present Parti Keadilan Rakyat.