I am so glad to hear someone give the right definition of secular. The word is twisted by PAS to make it sound like it is something against Islam. In fact, if one is true to the Islamic ideal of tolerance, then secularism in dealing with the affairs of a nation of mixed religions cannot be a bad thing.

PAS keeps harping on an Islamic state, but no one seems to be able to tell us what it means. Why is that? We are only told that under an Islamic state, non-Muslims will not be restricted from practising their own religion. So does an Islamic state mean 'one that is run on Islamic principles?' If so, what happens when these principles do not coincide with those of other religions or beliefs?

Banning the sale of alcohol? Separate checkout queues for men and women? I don't think they're such important issues, more like publicity stunts.

Or does an Islamic state only mean governance based on honesty, integrity and transparency? Come on, PAS! I want to support Barisan Alternatif fully, and I want to see this present lot of crooks in Barisan Nasional booted out before they ruin our country beyond repair.

But if PAS cannot be honest and give a clear explanation without skirting around the issue, then the members are no different from all the other politicians. If they want to form a government with a difference, then they should stop playing this game; they are scaring off many potential supporters. Or is it that they themselves do not know what they mean by an 'Islamic state'?

Year 2004 is not long off; let's get this thing sorted out so that we can really make a difference for the future of Malaysia.