A couple of weeks after Anwar's Q&A with Malaysiakini , the question that needs to be asked is this: what really is Anwar's plan? One would hope that his return would ignite a renewed enthusiasm for the reformasi movement and the idea of Bangsa Malaysia. But from Anwar's answers, I do not see much hope.

He speaks of the opposition putting aside the Islamic state issue and concentrating on pursuing equality among Malaysians. However, I do not see how the two issues can be separated. In my opinion, the Islamic state, like Umno's NEP, will be divisive to all Malaysians.

Under PAS' Islamic state concept, only a Muslim can be the prime minister. This in itself is discriminatory and unfair towards non-Muslims. In fact, it is similar to the Barisan Nasional politic where the leader of Umno is the PM by default thereby denying non-Malays a chance to assume the post.

PAS' decree that only a Muslim can be the prime minister in its Islamic state will promote distrust between Muslims and non-Muslims. For how can non-Muslims trust Muslims to uphold and fight for their rights when Muslims do not trust non-Muslims to do the same?

On the issue of PAS's ban on alcoholic drinks in public establishments, although Abdul Hadi Awang had 'encouraged' open discussions on the topic, there has been a disappointing lack of response either from him or other PAS officials.

To me there are two things here. Firstly, PAS' lack of response indicates that they are not interested in hearing arguments against their decision. Nor are they interested in alternative solutions that would satisfy both Muslims and non-Muslims for they are hoping that the whole issue will blow away.

Secondly, PAS based their ban on the argument that if they allow the sale of alcohol in the public establishments, it would be the same as asking them (PAS) to sell alcohol. The question then is, how does PAS view public establishments and space?

Do they view public places as belonging to the public which rightfully should include Muslims and non-Muslims? Or, do they disregard the source of the funds that are used to build and maintain this establishments and view these public places as 'state property' as an excuse to assert rules imposed by their own religious zeal?

If the latter is the case (at least that is how it appears to me), then non-Muslims will have to be worried about how an Islamic state will affect our rights and the rights of our children if it is to be the basis of the policy-making process.

Finally, in addition to trust, the idea of Bangsa Malaysia is only achievable when Malaysians not only tolerate each other's difference but also accept and embrace those differences. I think it is completely okay to strive for biggest, the highest, whatever, but we should also strive for the best in democracy, equality and racial and religious harmony.

There is no reason for Malaysia not to have a Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Chinese, Indian, Bidayuh, Iban or Kadazan prime minister if the person fits the bill.