The PAS' version of Islamic state is actually a 'small issue' which has been blown out of proportion as it is just a term used to explain Islamic principles to kampung folks, a senior PAS leader explained.

"I think this is a small issue which has been blown (out of proportion). We do not have any open debate or forum about the Islamic state issue anymore," said PAS election director Mustafa Ali during a recent phone interview with malaysiakini.

Although the party has vowed to establish an Islamic state if it attains power and had launched a document on its Islamic state proposal in November 2003, he insisted that Islamic state is just a term used to denote a part of PAS' struggle.

"It is just a term that we simply use in the kampung (village), for example, to the Malays. If you say anything, that people must follow the principles of Islam, the easiest shortcut is to say it is negara Islam (Islamic state), that is for people who probably don't understand much.

"I can't say using the term Islamic state is wrong because it is just one of the terms used, simply, for a certain audience," Mustafa argued

Talks on Islamic state on hold

The party's senior strategist was evasive and avoided direct comment when asked whether the Islamic state document has been abandoned. All he would say is that talks and efforts to explain the Islamic state are on hold.

"After our explanation (about the Islamic state) and people still don't understand, I think we should concentrate on other issues which people can easily comprehend," he said.

PAS leadership had reportedly agreed to 'soften' its stand on the Islamic state policy in early 2005, following its dismal showing in the last polls where it lost Terengganu to the Barisan Nasional and regained power in Kelantan with a slim margin.

However, the PAS-led Kelantan state government raised the ire of several rights groups recently after it threatened to fine sexily attired women.

Defending the move, Mustafa said the controversial dress code was requested by the locals and that the new ruling was "acceptable" to them.

"We will have to do things that we want to do. We want to see people decently dressed in accordance with Islamic teachings, especially Muslims," he stressed.

On the same note, Mustafa stressed PAS will hold on to its struggle based on Islam in the real sense and not how people perceive it. He also believed that the ruling Umno is getting more Islamic today due to the presence of PAS.

"If PAS is not around in Malaysia, I don't think Umno will be more Islamic in that sense."

Mustafa however was not worried that this will jeopardise its support from the non-Muslims as he said the party has reached out to all Muslims and non-Muslims but "it depends on how long their support will last".

Q&A: Prevailing mood favours the opposition

Part 1
Mustafa: PAS can retake Terengganu
Q&A: PAS 'far from quiet' on political front