PAS does not intend to establish a theocratic state, said a leader of the Muslim-based opposition party today.

Secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa said PAS accepts that its leaders - be they religious scholars or professionals - must first seek a mandate from voters.

"In fact, Muslim scholars, such as Dr Yusouf Qardhawi, have categorically debunked the idea of an Islamic theocracy and explained that an Islamic system of governance is not a theocracy," he said.