National laureate Shahnon Ahmad is reportedly concerned that PAS is veering away from its aim of establishing an Islamic state due to its relationship with DAP and PKR, according to Umno-owned Mingguan Malaysia today.

NONE In an interview with the weekend edition of Utusan Malaysia , Shahnon, a life-long PAS member, said this was compounded with the fact that the non-ulama class within the party was gaining strength.

"I don't reject cooperation between PAS and DAP, but they should ensure Islam is the decision maker.

“Thus, I support (PAS spiritual leader) Nik Aziz Nik Mat's statement that (the notion of) 'working with DAP' should be changed to 'DAP needs PAS'," he was reported saying.

Shahnon cited how the Prophet Muhammad in his hijrah to Medina had cooperated with the Jews, Christians and the idol worshippers on condition that they do not trivialise Islam and accept the authority of the religion.

"Thus, if PAS can work with DAP, then there is surely nothing wrong with (PAS) working with Umno because both want an Islamic state.

“The context of this cooperation that we hope for is to have frequent meetings and find a common ground," he said.

'Hereafter main objective'

Shahnon, 79, is best known for is best-selling novel Shit in the late 1990s, satirising Anwar Ibrahim's ouster as the deputy prime minister. At the time it was praised for its critical nature but also denounced for its generous use of vulgarities.

He then joined PAS and stood in the Sik Parliamentary constituency. Despite being a political novice, Shahnon beat Umno veteran Abdul Hamid Othman by a wafer-thin majority of 498 votes.

On PAS' apparent liberal leanings of late, Shahnon told Mingguan the party's main problem the non-ulama's influence in the party.

"I find that PAS at present discusses more secular issues that concern materialism, in a physical shape and more towards worldly matters as opposed to the hereafter," he said.

He said there had to be a balance between the two subjects but there were PAS leaders who seemingly agreed with DAP's secular position, which he considered dangerous.

"Many youths in PAS today only see politics from a secular lens and are straying from the party's goal of being a (vehicle) towards the hereafter," he said.

'Umno concerned with worldly affairs'

To a question on Anwar, widely considered to be model for the protagonist in the book Shit , Shahnon had little to say, except that the former was only interested in power.

He said PKR, which Anwar leads, was trying to make secularism the main thrust of Pakatan Rakyat and PAS should vehemently oppose this.

"Most PKR leaders are secular and liberal. Their influence is spreading among young PAS members who are not staunch Muslims. Their rhetoric and oratory skills are influencing PAS members. I am worried about this," he told Mingguan .

However, Shahnon shares a similar view of Umno, describing the party as secular in nature and more concerned with worldly affairs.

He said Umno should rightfully cooperate with PAS to establish an Islamic state and implement hudud law.

"To be accepted by the rakyat, particularly Malay Muslims, they should change their mentality because possessions and money won't bring genuine happiness," he said.