The 20,000 non-Muslim members of the PAS Supporters' Club have been inducted as full members into the Islamic party with the formation of the Dewan Himpunan Penyokong PAS (PAS Supporters Grouping Wing) as its fourth and newest wing.

idris ahmad pas information chief The opposition party's information chief Idris Ahmad ( right ) said that the new wing's members will now be recognised as official party members with the right to attend the Islamic pary's annual Muktamar as delegates to the meet.

"But for now, they cannot yet vote in party elections," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

He added that the newly-formed wing will focus on helping to explain the party's policies through talks and dialogues as part of efforts to counter BN's propoganda against the party.

This is important he contends, because the wild allegations levelled against PAS in the ruling coalition-controlled media have contributed to the negative perception toward PAS, especially amongst non-Muslims.

azlan "Previously they held their activities under the club's name. Now they can conduct events with more direction and planning.

"They will explain party policies and break the walls which is dividing PAS from the non-Muslims," he added.

Party president Abdul Hadi Awang launched the new party wing at the Klang District Land Office Multipurpose Hall this morning.

'PAS unites all races'

Speaking to reporters, Hadi said that the party's inclusion of non-Muslims through the new wing proves that the party is uniting all the races in the country.

Hadi also said that if all the races in Malaysia could unite harmoniously, it would bode well for the nation.

sibu by election hadi awang "We are trying to unite all the races in Malaysia by opening our doors to non-Muslims.

"The proof is that we recognise supporters as our official party wing," he was reported as saying by PAS organ Harakah Daily .

In his speech, Hadi ( right ) said what would unite the races is justice and mutual respect between the races, principles that PAS is putting into practice.

He cited further the party's decision in Terengganu to place a non-Muslim in one of the electoral constituencies to contest under the PAS banner.

"This shows that PAS does not sideline non-Muslims," Hadi said.