As the DAP central executive committee is scheduling to meet tonight to decide what to do in relation to PAS' stance on the Islamic state, it is pertinent to note that it is not only the DAP that is in a dilemma.

In my opinion, PAS faces a bigger dilemma as regards the relevance of its very raison d' etre in the context of a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural Malaysia today with increasing calls and demands for democracy, pluralism, human rights, cultural diversity, social tolerance, women's rights, development and modernity!

In the first place, PAS cannot adopt a moderate approach to Islamisation for to do so will make it no different from its rival, Umno. To distinguish itself, PAS has to be more radical and fundamentalist in order to cast Umno as not a party with legitimate Islamic credentials.

PAS has either implemented or its leaders have suggested the merits of the following policies - moves to make it compulsory for working Muslim women to wear head scarves and for men and women to queue separately at shopping complex counters; discrimination in state employment against 'pretty' women on grounds that it is easier for them to get husbands and be married; intention evinced to close the Genting casino if PAS takes over Pahang; etc.

PAS has not yet come out with its blueprint of a theocratic Islamic state as requested by DAP's Lim Kit Siang and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

I think it would be clever for PAS to desist (even at the risk of losing credibility) because if it were to come out with its concept, it would stir the hornet's nest and provoke even more questions that it can ever hope to answer satisfactorily.

Under PAS' concept of the Islamic state, should women be encouraged to stay at home? When Hudud laws are implemented, will there be public flogging too?

Since PAS believes in implementation of divine laws as interpreted by its clergy, is the making of laws by elected representatives in Parliament to be done away with, and with it elections as well?

How is PAS going to answer all these questions that will pacify a growing modern pluralistic and educated middle class in Malaysia and yet at the same time be consistent with its strict application of fundamentalist Islamic law and precepts?

On the other hand, the moment PAS tries to interpret policies in line with Modern Malaysian Realities, it compromises its purist position because it will be doing exactly what Umno is doing all this while.

If PAS does otherwise and proceed with its strict application and interpretation, one can imagine the barrage of opposition it will face from all sectors especially from the women folk.

For Islamic fundamentalist structure is basically patriarchal. This is in mortal conflict with modern women's awakening and demand for equal rights now proposed to be enshrined in a gender equality amendment to the Federal Constitution.

As per malaysiakini's 'Muslim women to become third-class citizens, warns SIS' (Aug 24), already many Muslim women were unhappy with the system as it is now under the present government. Would these Muslim women along with their non-Muslim counterparts be happier still with PAS' patriarchal policies and give their votes?

The only way for PAS to work around these forces, is to assuage its detractors' fears, conceal its true agenda, assume the reigns of power by whatever methods, and then only begin the proper implementation of its programme after it has ensconced itself safely in the seat of power.

This strategy is consistent with Terengganu Mentri Besar Abdul Hadi Awang's statement as reported in 'DAP to make final decision on spat with PAS' (Aug 24). Hadi said, "PAS accepted the reality that the country had to be governed based on the concept of a multi-racial society within a democratic framework" but he went on to add that "historically, Islamic governments had ruled when the Muslim community was a minority until the people eventually accepted the rule".

Many Malaysians are educated, and there are many interest groups who will see through such an approach which as Hadi's coalition counterpart Lim Kit Siang already correctly exposed by saying that such remarks would only serve to "heighten rather than lessen" the concerns about PAS' Islamic state concept!

As the DAP central executive committee meet, its members have to reflect that DAP's dilemma is nothing in scale and dimension compared to PAS' dilemma in having to reconcile its raison d'etre with the contradictions posed by a modern and pluralistic society that Malaysia presently is.

To carry on in partnership and cooperation with PAS is to compound DAP's existing dilemma with PAS' greater dilemma and enmesh itself in a no-win situation.