Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) national congress kicked off today with party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail reinforcing the party's commitment to establish a new political landscape that will go beyond the scope of religion and race.

In her opening speech themed 'Moment for change', she said the opposition coalition must realise that it is championing a democratic country that is based on its Federal Constitution.

She also said that political parties based on religion and theology would not win the support of Malaysians.

"In a multiracial and multi-religious country like Malaysia, a political policy based on a certain religion and theology would indeed create problems," she said to the 906 delegates who attended the opening of the congress.

"Although each individual party has its own views, the ultimate struggle of establishing an Islamic state which is not well-received must be reconsidered."

She said that in preparing for the next general election due in 2009, the solidarity of the coalition should be strong and this can only be achieved if all component parties have a meeting point in politics.

"Should we fail in achieving solidarity in fundamental issues, undoubtedly the alliance and cooperation forged would not be strong."

Political realities

The opposition coalition which currently consists of PKR and PAS suffered badly in the last general election in March 2004 which saw the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional garnering a thumping 95 percent majority.

Political analysts had blamed PAS' stand on establishing an Islamic state for the voter swing. The issue had also created a rift within opposition parties which saw the DAP leaving the coalition in 2001 despite making an impact in the 1999 general election.

Wan Azizah, however, expressed her hope that all parties in the opposition coalition would accept political realities regarding Islam's position as the religion of the majority of the Malaysian population.

"Islam is a tolerant religion which does not compromise and it is strongly opposed to any form of oppression. Tolerance and anti-oppression is a virtue shared by other religions embraced by Malaysians such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and others."

Elaborating to reporters later, Wan Azizah said PAS understands PKR's stand on the controversial Islamic state issue.

"PAS leaders understand what we are trying to say, in the context of how an Islamic state has been perceived. In our discussions with them, they accepted that the Islamic state connotes a theocracy," she said when asked whether Pas should soften its stand on the issue.

'This is not new'

In an immediate response, PAS Deputy President Nasharudin Mat Isa said PKR had the right to express its own opinion but each political party had the right to their own ideology which must be respected.

"This understanding was reached when we formed the opposition coalition in 1999. This is not new. Everyone has the right to their own views," Nasharudin said.

In her speech which was described by delegates as "all-encompassing", Wan Azizah also stressed on the importance of cultivating a relationship with opposition parties in Sabah and Sarawak.

This especially since the Sarawak state elections are expected to be called early next year.

She also outlined several policies that the party hopes to present to the public as part of its effort to offer an alternative government to voters at the next polls.

The policies comprise of initiatives in the areas of economics, education, the media, government administration and the police, she said.