The Kelantan government's decision to lift the ban on snooker, billiards and karaoke is part of the Islamic political party's ongoing re-branding efforts to shake off its hardline image.

The state's Local Government, Housing and Health Committee chairperson Takiyuddin Hassan told malaysiakini that the PAS state government is "open enough now" to review rulings that will bring further benefit to the people.

"Although I am ready to admit that it (the lifting of ban) is partly that (re-branding exercise), this does not mean that PAS is selling its principle as contended by Umno Kelantan," he said when contacted.

"We are not changing our principle but rather we are going through a process (of amending the administration) for the benefit of the people."

He explained that PAS Kelantan - which is often accused of imposing unfair and regressive rulings against entertainment outlets since 1990 - only implemented policies based on recent developments and public interest.

"For example in 1990 we banned the traditional performance of wayang kulit because it (the story line) was not only full of elements contradicting Islamic teachings but it also brought no benefit to the people and encouraged people to be lazy."

"Recently, we lifted the ban after an artiste movement proposed a new version of wayang kulit performances convinced us that future performances will be free from jampi serapah (mantras) and that it (the story line) will bring healthy messages to the people."

The winds of change within the party was felt in its recent muktamar (annual convention) which saw the election of young leaders at its forefront which includes Nasharuddin Mat Isa as the new No 2 while Kelantan blue-eyed boy Husam Musa as one of the three vice presidents.

No negative influences

Nasharuddin has said in his first press conference as the deputy president that the re-imaging and re-branding of PAS will be the main agenda.

However, there were doubts among political observers that the party would make the crucial changes claiming that the current changes within the party were mere cosmetic changes .

On Tuesday, Takiyuddin announced that snooker, billiard and karaoke, banned in Kelantan since 1990, will be making a comeback, with certain conditions.

He said the conditions were imposed to ensure that the youths would be able to enjoy the sports free from any negative influences like gambling.

As for karaoke outlets, he said the government was likely to issue licences only for those catering for families and that stricter conditions would be enforced to ensure that there were no private rooms and that only suitable songs such as nasyid would be allowed to be sung.

Takiyuddin explained that in the past, the state government had faced a dilemma where it was forced to take action against snooker and billiard outlets which were favourite haunts for youths.

"The two sports are popular among the youths. We cannot just ignore this. So, the proposal is a solution to our dilemma. We hope that with the new conditions the youths are able to enjoy these sports without being threatened with social ills.

Takiyuddin said that the proposal has received positive feedback from the youths and he believed that full implementation can be seen by the end of the year.