The root problem in the controversial Islamic state concept does not lie in the people's lack of understanding of Islam, but on whether PAS is prepared to accept that it is not feasible, its coalition partner DAP said today.

Party chairman Lim Kit Siang said in a statement that the issue at stake was not Islam but whether the Islamic political order conceived by PAS could create a just Malaysian society for all citizens.

He added that PAS' education campaign to educate the people on its Islamic state concept was based on the 'mistaken premise that those who are opposed to the concept, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, were misled by their lack of understanding of Islam'.

PAS president Fadzil Noor said on Sunday that the party would focus its media network on educating the people on its Islamic state concept, and that the PAS website and party-organ Harakah would run weekly series that would help to clarify doubts and suspicions on the concept.

The PAS information bureau will also run a nationwide campaign on the concept, he said.

Exclude concept

DAP deputy chairman Karpal Singh, who has been vocal against the Islamic state concept, said today that PAS should 'unreservedly agree to have the setting up of an Islamic state specifically excluded from the Barisan Alternatif's common manifesto'.

"No religion preaches evil. It is goodness which prevails in all religions. It is the context of this goodness which should form the bedrock of the manifesto of the opposition front," he said.

Karpal added that nothing should be done by PAS or any other political party to destroy the present equation in the community which has served the country so well all these years.