updated version MCA plans to set up a special unit to explain to the Chinese community 'the threat of the Islamic state' which opposition party PAS is keen on establishing, party secretary-general Ting Chew Peh said today.

In his address when opening the Wanita MCA annual general meeting (AGM) in Kuala Lumpur, he said the unit was necessary to educate and explain to the people 'the damage that an Islamic state can have on a multi-religious society'.

He added that the society, especially the Chinese community, should be made to understand the Islamic state concept.

"Chinese society must be alert or else they will be misled," he said.

Ting explained that it was unreasonable for an Islamic state to be established in a plural society because it will affect the religion, culture and customs of other races.

The former minister added that even PAS is not clear regarding the form and substance of the Islamic state it intends to establish and has failed to offer proper explanations.

"Therefore, it's the task of the MCA to explain about the issue to the public," Ting said.

Existing literature

Later at a press conference, he was asked how the party could explain to the public about the Islamic state when even PAS itself is fuzzy about the concept, Ting said that information could be culled from the existing literature on the matter from other Muslim countries, especially in the Middle East.

"What is not explained by PAS was their version of Islamic state," he added.

Ting was also queried by another journalist whether the Chinese community has been "influenced by PAS" to accept the Islamic state concept.

"They may not know the truth. They may be given half-truths. PAS itself has failed to explain (about their version of an Islamic state)," he said.

Asked if Islamic scholars will be employed to help explain the issue to the Chinese community, Ting said that could be the next stage.

He also announced that a resolution on the Islamic state issue will be debated in the MCA annual general assembly tomorrow.