The sole non-Muslim representative at the 58th PAS muktamar today heaped praises on PAS for its moderation, rebutting BN’s accusations that the party is extremist.

PAS supporters wing secretary K Deepakaran ( below ) said the stigma against PAS has gradually diminished since the 2008 general election.

K Deepakaran pas non-muslim wing 3 "Before, there were accusations that especially for the Indians and Chinese, if we join PAS, we must convert (to Islam) and potong (circumcise).

"(Critics said) if we support PAS there would be no places of worship left for Hindus and Chinese, but what has happened now?

“Even Tok Guru (PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat) has no problems entering temples and sitting at the table with us (non-Muslims)," he told delegates at the party conference at Pusat Islam Tarbiyah Kelantan, Kota Bharu this morning.

Deepakaran also impressed delegates with his use of Arabic terms when explaining that non-Muslims’ support for PAS came about through tarbiyah (education) about Islam even though they remain non-Muslim.

He added that the non-Muslims' support PAS because BN has neglected them.

NONE Deepakaran then called on the Islamic party to look into the plight of some 300,000 Malaysians who are stateless and are primarily from the Indian and Chinese communities if Pakatan captures federal power in the next general election.

"The Chinese support for Pakatan remains strong, but there has been some drop for the Indians. We pledge to return their support to Pakatan.

"We are soldiers of Islam, Islam is for all and the PAS supporters' wing’s objective is to reduce the gap between races," he said.

However, he noted that some PAS members in other bodies were still sceptical of the non-Muslim wing.

"We are an asset to PAS. We come to help, and are not a threat... we would like to fight together (for the general election)," he said.