This debate that is presently raging over PAS' intention of committing Malaysia to an Islamic state rule is beginning to get rather boring when the real issues are being just sidelined or ignored.

There are some simple truths that have to be accepted and these have to be placed on the discussion table for all to acknowledge and respect.

The first and, I believe, the only fact to consider is the belief and conviction of the leaders of PAS in their faith. That belief and conviction encumber them to seek Islamic state rule and anything short of it would be failing in their divine calling.

Should they apologise for it? No, I don't think so. If that is indeed their belief, then that should be their motivation and any compromise would be blasphemous. To achieve that aim, any means would indeed be permissible and agreeable. We should all realise that before the fall of Jericho, God did indeed instruct that Joshua send spies into the city. And we all know that spies operate best when they deceive their 'friends' into believing that they are 'safe'. Jericho did fall!

PAS cannot be expected to accept anything less than its desire for an Islamic state for Malaysia. If the road to Islamic statehood has to take them through a period of living with a 'secular state' as defined by the DAP, so be it. But getting the PAS leadership to deny Islamic statehood would be almost like asking someone to deny her heritage.

The other three opposition parties in the Barisan Alternatif should recognise this. Then if they can live with the thought that their manifesto is indeed a compromising one amongst them, which it surely is, then it is only right that PAS be asked to leave the grouping.

If the others feel that they can't because the goal to topple the Barisan Nasional government should be attained at all cost, then maybe, they should for one minute give the nation some thought.

Have they given any thought to how they intend to govern the country should they succeed in toppling the BN government?

Maybe they could give some thought to Humpty Dumpty. After his fall, neither the king's horses nor the king's men could put Humpty Dumpty together again!