In a bid to beat a growing trend towards pre-marital sex, opposition Islamic party PAS is promising easier marriage ahead of March 21 elections.

The PAS leader in in the northern Kedah state, which the fundamentalist party aims to take from the government, said pre-marital sex was on the rise because dowries were high and bureacracy was a problem for young lovers.

Azizan Abdul Razak promised to simplify the marriage process to stem moral decay among youths, The Star reported today.

The pledge is part of a joint manifesto by PAS and its ally, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan), to voters in the agricultural province, known as Malaysia's "rice bowl".

PAS aims to add the state to the two it already controls in the conservative north of the country.

Islamic way of life

The party made major inroads into Kedah in 1999 polls, and the election results there will be seen as an indication of whether new Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been able to reverse the swing to PAS, which wants to impose a theocratic government in Malaysia.

PAS is the key threat to Abdullah's Umno, the linchpin of the ruling coalition.

In the Kedah manifesto, PAS said it would ban gambling, introduce a five-day week for civil servants and three months' maternity leave as well as interest-free loans to buy houses, vehicles and computers.

It would also raise the monthly allowances for mosque officials, Islamic clerics and teachers, as well as give special aid to religious schools. But allowances and privileges for the chief minister and state council members would be cut.

Azizan said PAS would fight for Islam as a way of life, including implementing syariah criminal laws, but it would ensure the right of religious freedom and justice for all. - AFP