MCA vice-president Dr Fong Chan Onn today turned down the challenge from PAS to participate in a public debate over the opposition party's Islamic state document.

However, the human resources minister was quick to stress that this was not due to fear but because he saw no need for the debate.

"No need for a public debate because MCA is stating all the facts. Anyway we can continue with our arguments in the press, what PAS raises in the media, MCA will respond.

"It is good to let the readers and the people at large judge what PAS says," he said when contacted.

Yesterday, PAS secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa challenged Fong to a debate following MCA's caustic criticism of the Islamic state document released last Wednesday.

Spawn extremism

Explaining further, Fong stressed that MCA will choose its own ways to campaign against PAS' Islamic state, which he claimed would spawn extremism.

He added that the party will not only lobby the Chinese community but all citizens to reject the opposition party's proposal.

Fong said MCA has directed all state and division leaders to explain to the grassroots on the consequences of PAS coming to power and its Islamic state.

"They will explain to the people whenever they go out for ceramah (public talk), this will be an ongoing nationwide effort.

"We hope the ultimate outcome from our campaign is all people will vote against PAS in the next general election," he added.

The party's Youth wing has also ordered its legal bureau to study the implications of the Islamic state document.

When issuing the challenge yesterday, Nasharuddin said he hoped Fong would accept the challenge in the "spirit of choice, information and knowledge".

The PAS leader also suggested that the topic of the debate be 'Islamic state concept proposed by PAS is driven by justice, not extremism'.