PAS to open up fully to non-Muslims in 5 years

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1: PAS has set itself a five-year target to fully open its doors to members of all races and religions so long as they are Malaysians and are determined to champion the party’s Islamic cause.

“Definitely, PAS will stay an Islamic party,” Mujahid Ysof Rawa, chairman of the PAS National Unity Committee, told Harakahdaily.

“But we recognize we are also a multiracial country. So we hope within five years’ time, we will be able to iron out all the kinks and invite all the races and religions to be PAS members so long as they understand and fully support our cause.”

Last year, PAS endorsed separate constitution allowing its Supporters Club - its longstanding non-Muslim wing - to become a Supporters Congress. The upgrade is significant because it gives greater rights to the non-Muslims, including additional platforms for them to play a more active role in party activities.

According to Mujahid, the Congress’s steering committee held its first meeting last week. The party plans an official launch in April. Vice-president Salahuddin Ayub has already been named its adviser.

“Mind you, the Congress is already officially a wing in the party. The constitution has been accepted by the PAS central committee and it is all systems go,” said Mujahid.

“What is going to happen in April is just a launch to make it known that our Club has been upgraded to a full-fledged Congress and if all goes well, in five years’ time, the non-Muslim wing can be fully assimilated into the party proper.”

PAS for All

Members of the Supporters Congress will be able to participate at the party’s muktamar or annual meetings as special representatives. Congress leaders will be elected at the federal, state and district levels but these will be ineligible to either stand for or elect the supreme leadership in PAS.

The Congress will also be formed at the national, state, and district levels but will not extend to individual branches. It will be headed by a leader, who will in turn be aided by a deputy; five vice-leaders; a secretary; an assistant secretary; a treasurer; and a committee of 18. It will also incorporate its own Youth and Women’s wings.

PAS fielded non-Muslim candidates at the 2008 general election. Its Supporters Club was formed in 2004 and has over 20,000 members comprising various races including Indians, Chinese, Siamese, and Iban.

“The politics of communalism and racism are not only outdated but they are wrong in principle and against the teachings of Islam,” said Mujahid.

“We have to evolve a new model whether all stakeholders in the country can participate in PAS but without PAS losing its Islamic backbone and focus. Can it be done? Certainly, we believe so. Look at our Supporters Club. That is already a reality and has been very successful, so much so we have upgraded it to a Congress. Now we want the Congress to get going while we prepare for the final step. I am sure we can do it, PAS can be for all.”