Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today labelled opposition part PAS' new blueprint of forming a strict Islamic state as an election ploy to win votes.

"The fact that it is being launched close to the general election, it is surely aimed to fish for votes," Abdullah was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

Abdullah, 63, who took over from Dr Mahathir Mohamad who was in power for 22 years, said there was nothing significant in PAS' 53-page document on Islamic rule which calls for punishments like stoning and amputation for criminals.

PAS is the largest opposition party and draws it support from rural Malays, a traditional heartland of Abdullah's ruling Umno.

Abdullah last week urged his 14-member ruling National Front coalition to be ready for a snap poll and aim for a landslide victory.

PAS made strong inroads into Malaysia's majority Muslim community in the last elections in 1999. It controls two northeastern Malay majority states -- Kelantan and oil rich Terengganu -- and has set its sights to grab northern Perlis, Kedah, Pahang and central Selangor states.

Elections are due in late 2004, but are expected to be called earlier.

Uncertain and perilous future

PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang who unveiled the blueprint yesterday said the country must be governed by a "virtuous and God-fearing" Muslim leader.

However, non-Muslims would be given religious and cultural freedoms and an option to live under Islamic criminal laws or the current system.

Abdul Hadi said the party was committed to end all draconian laws such as the Internal Security Act (ISA), that allows detention without trial, and the Official Secrets Act that stifles opposition dissent.

Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had rejected PAS plans to introduce strict Islamic criminal laws called hudud.

Muslims account for 60 percent of the country's multiracial population of 23 million population followed by Chinese, Indians and minority groups.

Lim Kit Siang, chairman of the opposition Chinese-based DAP said with PAS announcement Malaysia was set on a "very uncertain and perilous future."

"My worst fears have been proved right. This is the time for all Malaysians to reaffirm their support for a secular Malaysia state with Islam as the official religion but not an Islamic state," he said in a statement. - AFP