Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim said PAS is reviewing its Islamic state agenda and working to convince Malaysians of its commitments on the positive values and rights entrenched in the Federal Constitution.

He said that the Islam-based party has agreed to review its controversial agenda - which is said to be one the reasons behind its poor performance in the last general election - after discussing the issue with the party's leaders at length.

"They (PAS) had proclaimed that Malaysia should be an Islamic state. Now, I have taken the issue with them and I have suggested that in a multi-religious country like Malaysia, any pronouncement or proposition for the establishment of Islamic state is untenable," he said at the John Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies in Washington on Tuesday.

"They have agreed to review this and I have told others that I can be convinced (with their assurance). But many non-Muslims, many liberal Muslims may not be convinced because they are thinking that while you say that now, you may hijack the agenda after the election."

"So you have to make it very clear that you are for what is entrenched in the constitution and its framework...and that the Islamic state is not in your agenda," he said when asked to comment on PAS' future in Malaysia.

He also cautioned the Americans not to be taken by the Barisan Nasional's propaganda which aims to put the opposition party in a negative light.

"To be fair to PAS, you cannot equate the Islamic party or judge them purely on the propaganda of the ruling party. They are not the Taliban. They take a more liberal view," he said.

PAS has to share power

He said although he may not agree with all PAS' policies, they share the same ideals for issues like free media and democracy.

"So we have to introduce or promote this compact for democracy together with them on these issues."

Responding to a question, Anwar pointed out that the chances of an Islamic party like PAS to rule Malaysia, without the help of other political parties, is very slim.

"In Malaysia where the Malays are only 60% and divided, there is no way for an Islamic party to govern on its own. They will have to share power with other forces."

Anwar is the advisor of Parti Keadilan Rakyat - PAS' alliance in the opposition coalition Barisan Alternatif (BA) - and is often sought by opposition parties for advice after his release from a six-year imprisonment.

He had since held discussions with DAP in an effort to get them to rejoin the BA. The Chinese-based party left the coalition in 2001 following a row with PAS over the Islamic state agenda.