PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali does not fully agree with the media's portrayal of PAS as a "radical Muslim party" and the reputation of its head honcho Abdul Hadi Awang as an "Islamic firebrand".

Syed Husin said the portrayal of the party and its acting president indicated how effective the government's propaganda has been.

"But I am not surprised. The local as well as international media, which have their own particular masters and interests to serve, have been constantly demonising Islam," he told malaysiakini .

"I think there are moderate and even progressive elements within PAS, although they may not have the upper hand," he added.

Syed Husin said Hadi, who is acting PAS president and Terengganu menteri besar, is not as much a firebrand as he was 30 or 20 years ago.

Hadi took over the helm of the party from the late PAS president and Opposition Leader Fadzil Noor who passed away on June 23.

"From personal experience, there are many issues which we can easily discuss with him," he said.

Stalled merger

The veteran politician was responding to the question on how PAS' "radical" Islamic policies and Hadi's reputation as an "Islamic firebrand" will affect PRM in its merger with Keadilan both are partners with PAS in the Barisan Alternatif coalition.

The merger has been stalled more than a year due to Keadilan's inability to obtain a two-third majority in its annual general meeting to amend its constitution accordingly.

Recently the two parties have decided to sign a memorandum of understanding to lobby support from their members to back the merger which is expected to be completed at the end of this year.

PRM delegates will be attending their 35th national congress on Sunday and one of the highlights of the meeting is to reiterate their support for the merger.

Replying to another question on the merger, Syed Husin said he doubted whether ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim will return or be accepted by Umno as long as the ruling party continues with its current policies and leadership.

"Of course Anwar has vehemently denied that he will abandon Keadilan to return to Umno. Anyhow, be that as it may, I am not particularly worried if Anwar and his close followers decide to return to Umno.

"It would mean that all those who remain behind, and I believe they form the majority, are those who are really committed to fight against Umno and Barisan Nasional and their undemocratic, unjust and anti-people policies and for change or reformasi," said Syed Husin.

He said he cannot imagine Keadilan being dissolved and all its members going to Umno in the manner of Semangat 46 as the two parties are different in purpose.

The country was rife with speculation that Anwar was negotiating for release from his 15-year jail term for sodomy and corruption. In return, it was said, he was to either retire from active politics or return to Umno.

But Anwar has denied ever meeting anyone from Umno to discuss his early release and dismissed the possibility of him continuing his political career in Umno.

Read the full Q&A; in At the crossroads, PRM hopes to rejuvenate itself with young blood

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