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Malaysia's Islamic party 'positive' towards accepting non-Moslems

Fadzil Noor, president of Parti Islam Semalaysia (PAS), said the party was getting "positive" feedback on a proposal for associate membership for non-Moslems, who account for almost half Malaysia's population of 22 million.

"We have been discussing the issue and we have been getting feedback," he told a news conference at the end of the four-day congress at the party's headquarters in Gombak on the northern outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

"I think the reaction was positive," Fadzil said. "There's no doubt about it -- the delegates were positive towards efforts by the party to establish associate membership.

"When we say associate members, it means they would not have the same rights as full members -- just like any organisation."

Amid growing support for PAS and other opposition parties ahead of elections expected before the current parliamentary term expires in April next year, the question of accomodating non-Moslems has taken on added importance.

Most non-Moslems are Chinese, Indian or indigenous converts to Christianity whereas most Moslems are ethnic Malays and other indigenous groups.

"There is interest shown by many non-Moslems in joining PAS. They will join us. On issues such as justice, non-Moslems have a positive feeling towards PAS," Fadzil said, apparently referring to public outrage over the arrest of ousted deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim who was jailed for six years last month.

PAS vice president Mustapha Ali said opening up to non-Moslems would require amending the party's constitution.

"We have been grappling with this issue for the past two years," Mustapha told AFP. "We have to change the mindset of the people first. We have to progress gradually so that there will not be any problems."

In a resolution adopted by PAS on Sunday, the party's influential Council of Theologians highlighted the need to "adopt strategies which do not endanger or impede the struggle, objectives and principles of PAS."

It also stressed the need to "heighten public awareness towards the basic struggle of promoting the establishment of an Islamic state."

The goal of creating an Islamic state is a major source of difference with the ruling National Front coalition and other opposition parties, notably the Democratic Action Party which is predominantly Chinese.

Mustapha noted that PAS had already set up special secretariats within the party to deal with the interests of non-Moslems and the Chinese, adding that the party was planning to set up a similar body for Indians.

"We are in the transition stage," he said. "Until we amend the constitution, we cannot accept them as members. I can't say for sure when. No time frame has been set for the amendments."

Mustapha denied that the failure to reach an agreement on the issue of non-Moslems during the four-day meeting reflected a split between conservative and liberal members of the party.

"I do not see much of a problem. We have to be progressive," he said. "We have established the secretariats. We are moving forward."

Haji Hassan Shukri, chairman of the party's constitutional amendment committee, reportedly said that PAS had already drawn up a proposal to allow non-Moslem associate members to stand in elections.

"However, the number of non-Moslem candidates from PAS cannot exceed one-fourth of PAS Moslem candidates for both state and parliamentary

constituencies," Hassan was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.