The open 'debate' which is at times is uncontrollable, between PAS and DAP on the issue of an Islamic state has gone overboard and has been aggravated by the government controlled media to the point that it has benefitted the ruling BN.

When the economic and political situation of the country is deteriorating and when the component parties in the BN are in a crisis and on the verge of splitting, the controversy between the two parties in BA gives the BN leaders an opportunity to divert the attention of the rakyat from their own problems.

If the issue of an Islamic state is reiterated or opposed by a certain faction in any of the parties in BA with the intention to strengthen or widen their own support base, the repercussions would be different. The people who no longer have faith in the BN now would have developed a kind of suspicion towards the viability of the BA leadership to rule the country.

When the BA parties seem to be disunited and each appearing to advance their interests first and not that of the BA coalition; eventually the support for BA and its component parties will deteriorate. If all parties in the BA are prepared to admit that damage has been done, we must be prepared to repair the damage now.

One way to do this is to continue the intensive discussions in the BA top leadership on this and other problematic issues.

Several discussions such as this have been conducted. However, they have not been very intensive and less than satisfactory.

The recent whole-day discussions on June 16 and 23 were not successful in helping us come to an agreement. If all parties feel that it is necessary and useful, such discussions should continue until satisfactory resolutions are achieved.

Before the last general elections the BA managed to draw up a Common Manifesto entitled 'Towards a just Malaysia'. It is true that since then the country's political scenario has changed, therefore the Manifesto needs to be amended and improved. However, we admit there are weaknesses in some clauses that concern religion and culture. If in-depth discussions can continue in a sincere manner among the BA parties, I am sure many things can be done to improve the manifesto.

It must be stressed that every party in the BA has accepted the Common Manifesto. The manifesto does not mention a single word about the establishment of an Islamic state. Even the PAS constitution makes no mention about the Islamic state being its ultimate aim. In fact, almost every PAS leader is aware that an Islamic state cannot become a reality unless the Federal Constitution is amended, and this requires PAS to gain a two-thirds majority in the elections.

Therefore, we cannot understand why the question of an Islamic state has to be raised again and again by Terengganu Mentri Besar Abdul Hadi Awang and his Kelantan counterpart Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

Abdul Hadi, who is also a spiritual leader, has the ambition and vision to establish an Islamic state. I feel we all have to respect his right to have these ambitions and visions, just as we must respect the right of Karpal Singh to disagree with Abdul Hadi. However, I have never heard Abdul Hadi saying that he will not abide by the Common Manifesto. All parties in the BA must refer to and hold on strongly to the manifesto if they want the BA to continue, become more stable and influential.

PRM is upset with the stand expressed by several PAS leaders, which is not in line with the BA manifesto. We feel uneasy that several DAP leaders have attacked PAS, especially certain leaders, as if these leaders are the real enemy and not the BN and its leadership.

We hope all parties in the BA will use the existing proper internal channels to resolve all problems. However, if there are any parties that feel pressured to leave the BA or wants to pressure any party to leave the BA, it is better to discuss this strategically in a comrade-like manner, and not through the media.

If PAS were to win by a simple majority in Parliament in the future (and this we feel is an impossibility), then, in line with the teachings of Islam, PAS must guarantee that it will not establish an Islamic state by force. In fact, PAS must make a promise now that the people must be given a chance to voice freely and fairly their support before an Islamic state is implemented.

In conclusion, PRM proposed the following:

1) All parties in the BA must stop making their own stands and stop attacking each other publicly on the issue of Islamic state as this is detrimental to BA's image and will only benefit BN;

2) The BA top leadership must continue discussions so as to arrive at a common understanding in order to amend, improve and enhance the BA manifesto which will continue to be upheld by all BA partners;

3) If any party feels compelled to leave the BA or feels that another party should leave the BA, this matter should be discussed strategically and in the spirit of solidarity and comradeship; and

4) PAS must guarantee or pledge from now on that if it wins a simple majority in Parliament, it will implement the Common Manifesto together with BA; and if PAS wins a two-thirds majority, it will not establish an Islamic state by force, but instead will get the approval and agreement of the people by way of a referendum.