I would refer to messages posted by Abdul Rahman Abdul Talib (' Secular regimes are even more intolerant ') and Charles F Moreira (' PAS critics should get their priorities right ').

Moreira offers the simplistic argument that PAS bashing only sends out the message 'Vote BN' and further urges voters to get their priorities right in choosing a corrupt BN or pay the price by opting for coffee or tea in Bangsar on a Saturday night. Perhaps Moreira might want to prove beyond any shadow of doubt that a theocratic state would be corrupt-free.

But is it all about foregoing alcoholic drinks? While Abdul Rahman claimed that PAS' policies are oriented against vice, can the banning of cultural performances in Terengganu during the coming Deepavali festival be also deemed to be an anti-vice move? Perhaps we should look further beyond alcoholic drinks.

Abdul Rahman only cherry-picked the acceptable examples of PAS' definition of vice being exactly the same as that of Islam. But where in the Quran is it stated that lipstick encourages sex crimes? Where is stoning to death mentioned in the Quran?

I doubt anybody has any problem with Islam as the religion. Most have problems with PAS' Islamism (the ideology).

PAS' Islamism, according to Farish A Noor, was adapted from the Iranian model. Islamism offers a way to control the state, run society and to remake human beings. In general, the Islamist discourse is ambiguous; strong on religious, moral and political ideas but vague on social plans. And all this is due to human interpretations of the Quran, to the extent that PAS' interpretations of the Quran said that Allah is a samseng (thug) who utters profanities.

In the case of PAS' Islamism having adapted the Iranian model, Khomeini's chief ideologist, Ali Shariati was influenced by Frantz Fanon's 'The Wretched of the Earth', a bible of Third Worldism.

He adapted Fanon's socialist ideas to his own Islamist doctrine. Hence, PAS' Islamism is not about Islam the religion but rather, it is about using Islam as a tool to further political ambitions. Thus, Abdul Rahman, when one criticises PAS' interpretations of Islam, they are criticising PAS' Islamism and do not have any problem with the religion.

The Transparency International 2003 Corruption Perception Index did not have a place in the top 25 for any of the OIC member countries. In fact, if we begin the count from the bottom of the list - the most corrupt countries - more than half are ranked in the last 21 countries out of the 133!

PAS had made known that its Islamic state will be modeled in the likes of Saudi Arabia or Sudan. How do these two countries rank in this index? Saudi Arabia ranks 46th while Sudan is at 106th! So, should we give up alcoholic drinks, together with our fundamental rights and freedoms, only to see BA's Malaysia being ranked between Saudi Arabia and Sudan?

If we were to take a look at Global Economic Freedom Index 2003, I'm afraid PAS' models of the Islamic state are again ranked lowly. As a matter of fact, the top 15 spots are taken by non-Islamic countries with Saudi Arabia being ranked at 68th while Sudan was not ranked.

While Abdul Rahman mentioned that PAS stands for a wealth distribution system that is fair and equitable, how will this be possible when there will be stunted economic growth when the BA governs Malaysia?

In an interview with a foreign journalist, Hadi Awang blamed the BN government for 'hijacking' its oil royalties, thereby denying PAS a chance to prove to the world its capability of governing Terengganu in economic terms.

That by itself is also a confession that minus the oil, it is incapable of generating economic development. So, if there isn't any wealth creation, how could there be wealth distribution?

What about PAS' threat to ban everything unIslamic if it comes to power? The Terengganu government's website says BA will ban gambling in Genting Highland.

So now, it seems clear that we will not be just giving up alcoholic drinks and our fundamental rights and freedoms, but that our rice bowls will be broken as well. The snowballing effect of banning such economic activities will make tens of thousands of workers jobless. Together with the current jobless, I'm afraid it would be too late for us to regret, believing that it would only be giving up alcoholic drinks!

What about Freedom of the Press 2003 Index? Malaysia and Saudi Arabia are both termed as 'Not Free', scoring between 71 to 80 while Sudan is also termed 'Not Free' scoring between 81 and 90. Do these models of an Islamic state, Saudi Arabia and Sudan, bode well for the expectations of the rakyat ?

I am very surprised that many people still ask about Keadilan's stand on PAS' hudud laws that will be enforced on Oct 27 in Terengganu. Haven't we been told and assured that Terengganu is a BA government? With that, this issue should be closed and no further questions should be asked regard to Keadilan's stand on PAS' theocratic policies.

Although Moreira aptly observed that from past experience, the same PAS bashers had voiced opinions against the BN, he must also realise that they believe that things will be made worse by the Islamisation war between PAS and Umno.

They would at any time, vote for a party that can be as clean as Finland (ranked first in the TI report, a party that would promise economic freedom as Hong Kong (ranked first in Global Economic Freedom 2003) and a party that would ensure that fundamental rights and liberties are protected.

But frankly speaking, what are the options apart from a choice between a lesser and greater evil? Where's that elusive so-called viable alternative front?