PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang pledged that the party will uphold the spirit of federalism as stated in the Federal Constitution if it manages to add more states under its fold in the coming elections.

He said that PAS has never breached the concept of federal democracy during its administration in Kelantan and Terengganu and will maintain that status quo if it wins Kedah and Perlis on March 21.

Dismissing the notion that Malaysia would be 'divided' if PAS was to rule the northern states as well as Kelantan and Terengganu, Hadi explained that the PAS-led state governments has strictly followed the democratic principle stated in the Constitution.

"Whatever proposals we seek to carry out had been made in accordance to the spirit of federalism."

"If we get to administer Kedah, we intend to sculpt an exemplary administration that will be a model to other states in the west coast. We are confident that we can do so because it has been done in Kelantan and Terengganu," he told reporters yesterday in Rusila, Terengganu.

He also said that it is the Barisan Nasional (BN) government that continues to flout the constitution to continue its supreme reign in the country.

"They read and interpret the constitution as they like...they continue to oppress the opposition so that they can remain in control."

Track records

Hadi also claimed that there are ample reasons for Malays to continue their support to PAS and its ally, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) as they did in the 1999 general election

"They can see our track record in Kelantan and Terengganu. For example in upholding justice, we provide financial assistance to all the needy - it does not matter whether they support Umno or not.

"In awarding scholarships and land titles we give to deserving cases. Previously when Umno was in power, they always distribute application forms for land titles during election time. But after the elections they ignore the issue. They had also threatened to reject applications of those who do not support Umno. PAS do not practise such injustice...for us, those marginalised deserved our help."

He said the Malays must realise that the BN will continue its corrupt policies despite the change of leadership from Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"We see that Abdullah is still shadowed by his predecessor. He has yet to find courage in making real, hard decisions. For example, in his fight against corruption, only insignificant leaders like Kasitah Gadam was involved when he should be reeling in those who really matter," he said.

"I was told there is a cabinet decision that bars the Anti-Corruption Agency from arresting specific ministers formerly under Dr Mahathir... so all these claims of fighting corruption are nothing but political gimmicks."

He alleged that Abdullah is also not clean from cronyism and nepotism as the premier's son, business tycoon Kamaluddin had recently made it into the list of the ten richest Malay in the country.

Anwar issue stays

Abdul Hadi also pointed out that Abdullah, like Mahathir, chose to deny jailed ex-deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim from receiving medical treatment of his choice.

"As long as Anwar continues to be victimised, he will remain in the PAS agenda. Until he gets the justice he deserves, we will not stop telling the people his condition, his story. We will continue to do so even after the elections," he said.

Commented on the eight-day election campaign period, he said that the BN will only make decisions beneficial to them.

"The period for us is not enough. But (luckily) we have been campaigning since after the last general election. Unfortunately, during that period we were constantly harassed by the police who act on instruction from BN leaders," he said.

"So we only have eight days to have a free-police election campaign. Compare this to the BN who gets the leeway to campaign all the time on RTM and TV3."