The Islamic state document released by PAS recently will not hinder efforts by the party from making inroads in Selangor in the coming general election, said the party's Selangor commissioner Dr Hasan Ali.

He told malaysiakini that he has been receiving "satisfactory" response from non-Muslim groups in the state on the blueprint.

"Generally, out of 10 people whom I have discussed and debated with on the document, five to six of them usually react positively. Those genuinely keen to understand more about the documents are usually satisfied with the answers we give them," he said in a recent interview.

"In the discussions, I've always emphasise that Islam provides equal opportunities for all be it welfare or economic benefits which are among the things mentioned in the documents...and that Islamic criminal laws are applicable only to Muslims."

He said such dialogues also enabled party leaders to clear misconceptions on the blueprint created by the ruling party with the help of the mainstream media.

"The loss of limbs, curbing individual rights and freedom...the participants discovered that these were mere exaggerations created by our political enemies. To date, I have yet to meet anyone who is vehemently opposing the document," he added.

Fruitful discussions

PAS had held a series of discussions with non-Muslim groups since the party launched its Islamic state blueprint on Nov 12 last year as pledged by its president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Top party leaders including its spiritual head Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat (photo left), information chief Dr Harun Din and Abdul Hadi had held talks and discussions in Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and currently in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

Hasan, a well-know motivational speaker before entering politics in 1998, dismissed the notion that the party's success in Selangor in the coming elections hinges on its ability to explain the document.

"The non-Muslim communities are not so concern about the Islamic state. Basic economic issues like income, home ownership and corruption worry them more. For example, the traders only worry that their business will be affected by corrupt enforcement officers, the poor want to have decent housing...these are the things they are more interested in," he said.

To address the issue, PAS together with its political ally Keadilan have launched a common agenda which among others, offers to revive local elections, introduce a one-house one-family policy and re-evaluate the various taxes imposed by the state government.

"Selangor is a rich state but most families need double income just to enjoy basic needs and to dine out now and again. It is unfortunate that the state's wealth is not used to solve the many social and environment diseases threatening us," he said.

He said the rakyat in the state realised that life has not improved because there is no proper enforcement and corrupt practices are rampant.

Agenda good enough

"So we promise them that if we are given the mandate, we will establish a better government which will make decisions in a transparent manner. We have shown we can do it as we had done so in Kelantan and Terengganu," he said.

"In fact, I promise that if a PAS leader becomes the Selangor mentri besar, we will adopt the practice of the Terengganu mentri besar (Abdul Hadi) who only accepts one salary which is for the post of mentri besar despite holding several other positions in the state-owned companies and foundations."

Hasan believed that the offers made in the agenda and the good track record of the six Barisan Alternatif (BA) representatives in the state assembly sittings are attractive enough for the voters in Selangor to seriously consider changing the government.

"Although there are only six of us in the opposition now, we dare say that there were times we controlled 60 percent of the debate in the state legislative assembly. We have fulfilled our duties in voicing out the people's grievances and ensuring that the government is kept on its toes.

Hasan was optimistic that BA could deny BN from gaining two-third majority in Selangor after the elections if the opposition failed to win.

He also said that PAS is expected to field about 20 to 25 candidates for the state seats (out of the total 56 seats) and about five to eight of their candidates are expected to contest the parliamentary seats. Selangor now has 22 parliamentary seats.