PAS will continue with its aim to establish an Islamic state which is governed by hudud (Islamic criminal laws), said party president Abdul Hadi Awang today.

Responding to the call from ally PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali to reconsider its stand on the issue, the PAS leader said his party will not abandon its belief that Islam is fair to all races.

He stressed that non-Muslims need not fear as the Islamic guidelines on the implementation of hudud clearly states that it is only applicable to Muslims.

"We have taken (into consideration) the sensitivity of non-Muslims in the country. We reiterate that Islamic laws will only be implemented in a PAS-governed state where the people have democratically agreed to it," he said in a press statement.

However, he noted that PAS' stand on the matter should not deter the cooperation between Barisan Alternatif component parties - PRM and Keadilan - which must remain united to battle the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition in the upcoming elections.

"PAS has no intention to question the socialist policy adopted by our friends in and outside BA. Instead we invite them all to be united to ensure the fight against BN would be one-on-one," said Abdul Hadi who is also Terengganu menteri besar.

While he respected Syed Husin's view as much as those of other BA leaders, he said each party should forward their grouses through the proper channels to avoid confusion among their supporters.

"BA must be extra careful is tackling the issue and not allow BN or Umno to cause friction between parties in BA when the general election is just around the corner," he added.

BN pressure

Echoing a similar view, PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar said BA should not succumb to the pressure from BN which wants to see the opposition front collapse.

"I feel that all party leaders must think positively and objectively. If they disagree with our views then there is always room for discussion.

"PAS has always been consistent in its stand on the Islamic state and hudud law. BN and Umno are using this to attack us," he added when contacted.

He said that their political adversaries would not relent even if PAS chose to abandon its quest to form an Islamic state.

"I think even without the issue, they would find some other issues to attack our credibility and strength," he added.

Citing the on-going merger plans between PRM and Keadilan, Mahfuz said he was sure that BN will use PRM's socialist ideology as an issue to create a ruckus between them.

"But when they attack us, we need not panic and reduce our political morale. What we need to do is discuss it objectively," he advised other BA leaders.

Report disputed

Meanwhile, Syed Husin disputed a report in the New Straits Times today titled 'Keadilan and PRM may leave front'

"I never said that anywhere. What I was pointing out was that this is the outstanding problem which has yet to be resolved in BA," he said when contacted.

He stressed that it was never PRM's intention to deny PAS of their policy and belief as far as Islamic state and hudud were concerned.

"We respect their policy but there are times that certain realistic political compromise has to be taken from time to time to ensure that we fare better in the coming general election," he added.

Syed Husin has sent a letter to the English daily seeking a correction.

Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said BA supporters need not be alarmed with Syed Husin's remarks as PRM's reservation on the issue had always been discussed by the front's leaders.

She said there is nothing new in the issue as PAS leaders have been informed of the disagreement on the Islamic state issue in the regular BA council meetings.

"The issue is still in discussion. It's just that PRM has never gone public on this, that's all. I am sure that we will eventually work things out and compromise," she told malaysiakini. .