PAS' upcoming muktamar (general assembly) in Kedah promises some interesting discussions, including the possibility of a proposal to open up the Islamic party's membership to non-Muslims.

PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa said such a proposal may be raised by party delegates following PAS spiritual advisor Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's suggestion last week that party members were now more educated and mature enough to accept such ideas.

"It is not a new issue. Perhaps something along those lines may come out on that issue," Nasharaddin told a press conference at the party's research centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Nasharuddin said Nik Aziz's statement was in the context of the recent Sarawak election - which saw support for PAS and its sole candidate Alem Din for the Betong Maro seat - from both Muslims and non-Muslims.

"We saw there was support, not just from the Iban and Dayak communities. The request (for membership into PAS) from them was there, even from the Chinese community," said Nasharaddin.

Other proposals

He said the party's central working committee would take its cue from the response to the proposal of the more than 1,000 delegates expected to participate in the muktamar .

"If (the muktamar ) as the party's highest institution decides so, we will proceed. We only execute the decisions of the muktamar ," he said.

Opening up PAS to non-Muslim membership is only one among several issues expected to be raised in the muktamar that involve amendments to the party charter, said Nasharuddin.

Among other possible proposals to be tabled include the adding of more seats to the party's policy-making Syura Council - currently with 15 members - and the creation of deputy secretary-general posts both at the central committee level and at the state level.