Amir Kamal ('Muslims to lose democracy in PAS Islamic state') fails to acknowledge that PAS has made it very clear that if an Islamic state is ever to take place in this country, it would be through democracy.

In fact, one important contribution PAS has delivered to this nation is in asserting that syariah should be implemented through peaceful solutions.

Armed with its strong Islamic credentials, PAS is able to convince the Malaysian Islamists that their struggle would be best achieved within the framework of democracy and continuous dakwah efforts.

Had PAS failed in this aspect, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that some Islamic groups may have resorted to more violent approaches as what happens to some other parts of the Muslim world.

By any measure, PAS is one of the most democratic political party in its practice. Never had it barred any party member from contesting in any party post. Party's office bearers are duly elected at all levels.

Unlike some other parties, this is done with the total absence of money politics and gangsterism. The winners in the party contest will have their performance under close scrutiny and the looser would still be respected.

Nobody has ever been subjected to disciplinary action for criticising its leadership. In PAS' Muktamar, delegates feel comfortable enough to speak, criticise, praise, and suggest. They even put tough questions to those sitting on the bench, without any shadow of fear or worry. If this is not democracy, what is?

When PAS Terengganu launched its state election manifesto for 1999, the promise to implement syariah was duly included in the manifesto. When it finally won the state seats, it makes best efforts to deliver its promise.

When its efforts were faced with obstacles and difficulties, it chose to endure them with patience. PAS never believes in coercion. So, I wonder where the word "bulldoze" came from?

Had Barisan Alternatif won enough seats in the parliament, PAS would definitely honor whatever it had agreed to in the BA manifesto at the federal level.

After all, PAS president and Terengganu Chief Minister Abdul Hadi Awang had repeatedly made it clear that the BA government would be the product of consensus among all the BA components.

It simply means that PAS strongly believes the Islamic state could be realised in a broad and open platform - through dialogue, discussion, and progressive engagement of all citizens. Doesn't that answer 60 percent of total PAS memberships are tertiary educated Muslim Malaysians?

Islam has not been in conflict with democracy. Islam is beyond democracy. But, if one thinks that democracy means a Muslim can choose whether or not to obey God, then the conflict is certainly his own creation. Why then bring others into his own conflict?