|
Pas says its focus is to fulfil election manifesto |
|
|
|
Thursday, 03 April 2008 13:41 |
|
(NST) - Pas will focus on fulfilling its election manifesto, not on establishing an Islamic state.
This was the stance taken by Pas leaders when asked yesterday how the party, which was originally formed along religious lines, would consolidate its goals with those of other parties in the Pakatan Rakyat.
Pas secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar said there was no mention of Islamic state or hudud in the party's constitution.
He said forming an Islamic state was not part of its manifesto in the recent general election.
"Pas' priority is fulfilling the election manifesto. We want to live as good Muslims, individually and socially."
Pas Youth chief Salahudin Ayub conceded that it could not form an Islamic state at present.
"The reality is no single party can form a government in this country. Only a coalition can rule. We have to come up with a common understanding."
He said the party preferred to focus on similarities rather than differences between the component parties of Pakatan Rakyat.
"These include the desire to set up negara berkebajikan or caring state, getting rid of corruption as well as applying good governance principles.
"There are so many issues that we can work together on. Pas alone cannot form the government."
He said Pas had to work hard to fulfil its promises because "the people want us to succeed in running the country".
Meanwhile, press secretary to Pas president Roslan Shahir Mohd Shahir said the values of the Islamic state were already incorporated in the Negara Berkebajikan.
"In states where Pas is the dominant party, we will try to set up an Islamic state."
Even though the party will not implement the Islamic state concept in states where it governs in alliance with other parties, the "form" is apparent in the Pakatan Rakyat arrangement.
 |
