Selangor Pakatan Rakyat component parties have finalised the negotiations over seat allocations for the upcoming general election, with all three parties agreeing to maintain the status quo in terms of state assembly constituencies.

NONE PKR will, therefore, contest in 21 state seats as it did in the March 8, 2008, polls, PAS in 20 and DAP in 15 seats, deputy Selangor PAS commissioner Khalid Samad announced today.

Any proposals to change the current arrangement will henceforth need to be submitted to the Pakatan leadership council for discussion at that level.

“The allocation of seats in Selangor has been finalised... PAS believes it can play a role in winning Malay votes,” he told a press conference in Shah Alam.

"If before we won eight seats, we need 12 or 13 seats (this time) to ensure PAS’ position is stable,” he added.

For Parliament, Khalid revealed that there have been suggestions that PAS contest more seats than at the state level. That, however, will be decided by the Islamist party’s central committee.

'Islam shackled, caged'

NONE On another matter, Selangor PAS commissioner Dr Abdul Rani Osman ( centre in photo ) said the party’s state leaders will be meeting with the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department next week over the issue of allowing politicians to give talks in masjids and suraus.

The letter requesting the meeting was sent to the department two weeks ago, said Abdul Rani, and an appointment has been set for Sept 27 at 3pm.

“There will be a meeting with Jais so that they can explain the matter further. We will wait for their decision on the matter once we’ve met them. We will inform next week,” he told the same press conference this afternoon.

Khalid said the requirement for Jais tauliah (certification) to “teach” in masjids and suraus needs to be clarified, since there are many who teach Islam without being certified by Jais to do so.

“If only those who are certified can teach, then nobody can do so except those with the tauliah .

“Islam, then, can only be taught at home... as if Islam were shackled and caged like an accused person who is able to speak only to his wife and children.

"This needs to be clarified. This is what we want to discuss with Jais. We want the people to talk about Islam. If a wrong has been committed, then go ahead and take action.

So far, there are no specific conditions or guidelines for the issuance of tauliah certificates other than the stipulation that the applicant attend an interview and that the decision whether to grant the certification, or not, rests with Jais.

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