PAS does not harbour any militant factions and will not resort to radical measures even in the wake of a government crackdown on its members, said the Muslim party's leaders today.

There is widespread speculation that the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the United States would lead authorities here to clampdown on PAS, which has long been labelled 'fanatical and extreme'.

When contacted, party secretary-general Nasharudin Mat Isa said the party has never given its blessings to any militant groups even if they are party members.

"We have always adhered to democratic practise since the establishment of the party and will continue to do so," he told malaysiakini .

Nasharudin, however, conceded the party is worried that the Barisan Nasional-led government may capitalise on the current situation and take action against PAS.

"The government has always equated us to radicalism and we are prepared to face the situation where they arrest our members without evidence." he said.

On Monday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government will jail or extradite terrorists to curb their influence, fueling fears that a crackdown may be imminent.

Early last month, 10 people, seven of them PAS members, were arrested under the Internal Security Act for being allegedly involved in the Malaysian Mujahidin Group or KMM.

Police claim the group was responsible for a spate of bank robberies, the bombing of a church and temple as well as the assassination of a BN politician.

Nine of them, including Nik Adli Nik Aziz, the son of PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat, were sent to the Kamunting detention camp in Perak on orders of the home affairs minister.

The remaining member was reportedly placed under restricted residence in Simpang Renggam in Johor.

Last week, Indonesian police arrested 14 men for their suspected hand in a series of bombings in Jakarta. Two of the suspects were Malaysians and police alleged that the duo are linked to the KMM.

Contingency plans

Nasharudin said the party leadership had made contingency plans to cope with the "worst-case situation".

Asked for details of these plans, he replied, "We cannot reveal the plans at this stage but there is definitely no mention of any militant or violent means."

He also refused to comment on claims by certain political observers that DAP's exit from the Barisan Alternatif was a result of a possible crackdown on PAS.

Shortly after DAP's withdrawal last Saturday, party life adviser Dr Chen Man Hin was quoted as saying, "What happened on Sept 11 has made our members more jumpy. They have been pushing us to settle the (Islamic State) issue with PAS once and for all."

Meanwhile, Nasharudin also denied that the party was in any way seeking justification for the terrorist attacks in US, in response to a statement issued by the party's information division earlier today.

The statement claimed that the "arrogant US which has wronged other smaller nations in the past" was thrashing unsubstantiated allegations on Arab-born Osama bin Laden who is the 'prime suspect' behind the Sept 11 attacks.

"It is natural to show sympathy. The US cannot deny its atrocities in the Arab world but we maintain that terrorism should not be accepted," said Nasharudin.

Radical era

Academicians noted that PAS had undergone a 'radical era' about two decades ago at the height of the Iranian revolution, but has become more moderate in recent years where democracy and human rights are often used as the platform for their struggle.

Controlling two peninsular states and 28 parliamentary seats, PAS is the biggest opposition party in the country and is dedicated to promoting Islamic administration and lifestyle based on religious teachings.

However, PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar said PAS has never been a radical party and will sack any members who are found guilty of propagating militancy and violence.

"Sometimes there could be individuals who are beyond the control of the party but we will not simply take actions against them unless there is enough evidence.

"Without evidence, it will just be like what the government did to some reformists a few months ago," he added.

In April, 10 Keadilan leaders and pro-reform activists were arrested under the controversial ISA which allows detention without trial.

Four of them were subsequently released while the rest are undergoing a two-year detention in Kamunting.

Mahfuz also did not rule out the possibility that DAP may have withdrawn from BA due to worries of being implicated should the government come down hard on PAS.

"If there is indeed such a crackdown, DAP should be criticising any violation of human rights rather than staying away from trouble," he said.