The focus is now to strengthen PAS and Pakatan Rakyat. The million ringgit question is, ‘how’?

Here are four tips for PAS if they wish to survive and remain relevant come next general election.

1. Lay off completely the beer-banning idea. Indeed, all forms of intoxicants are forbidden in Islam but not all of the rakyat are Muslims. The non-Muslims also voted for PAS and that was with the trust that PAS would champion their ideals for clean and fair governance; not to encroach into their lifestyle and chauvinistically impose their religious standards unto others.

Verily, that would be tantamount to a betrayal of the non-Muslims voters that voted for PAS. Rather than banning beer, embark together with DAP and PKR on anti-alcohol campaigns and awareness of its hazards to the public.

After all, isn't the Health Ministry doing just that for smoking? Democratic persuasion and gentle influence should be the way to educate and convince the rakyat that we are best without any form of intoxicants - not by banning and incurring their wrath.

2. As to the caning issue, do not support or condemn the syariah court’s decisions. Instead, help educate the Muslims on the prevailing syariah laws. Muslim should not consume liquor as their religion specifically forbids it.

But if a Muslim persists in doing so, then that is between him/her with his/her Lord but they should not to do it openly in public and flout the law. Those caught will be caned at least for challenging prevailing laws.

3. Leave Beyonce, Fergie and their like to perform as entertainers. If they are grossly indecent in their dressing, then it is only reasonable for a predominantly Muslim country like Malaysia to ask them to dress down a bit.

The faith of a Muslim is in his/her beliefs and the manifestation of that belief in every aspect of their life. Surely, it takes more than a mere Beyonce or Fergie concert to erode a true Muslim’s faith.

Concerts are entertainment for the public and people are entitled to entertainment be they Muslims or non-Muslims. Skin and flesh are not the primary allure of such concerts. MTV and the Channel V are even less censored.

If one wanted porn, they wouldn’t spend hundreds of ringgit to attend a concert. It is way cheaper to buy a pirated pornographic DVD or just surf porn websites on the Internet and those are definitely more accessible to the public than are concerts.

PAS would be more appreciated if they instead prioritise what to combat rather than banning concerts.

4. Leave the hudud law and Islamic state issues aside. Focus on the common ideals PAS shares with DAP and PKR such as clean governance, public welfare, transparency, integrity of the judiciary, fairness to all races, etc.

All those are Islamic ideals too aren’t they? And certainly they cannot be achieved overnight, can they? Prioritise on these together with DAP and PKR.

You will be surprised to discover at the end that a secular system is not all that different from an Islamic state anyway. If there are Islamic ideals not shared by others, intellectually persuade and gently influence others to embrace your virtues - not shove it down their throats.

Such is the path of Islam as ordained through Islamic teachings. Do these and PAS will stand a great chance of prevailing together with its Pakatan coalition come next general election.