PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat today accused the Barisan Nasional government of resorting to "communist tactics" in curbing the opposition's freedom of speech.

The Kelantan Menteri Besar singled out as prime example the blocking of opposition views in the mass media and other public communication channels.

"They control the newspapers, disallow ceramah (political talks) and forbid demonstrations. If this is not communism, what is?" he said in the Kelantan capital of Kota Bharu this morning.

He was responding to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's claim that Keadilan is now a "spent force" and no longer has anything for PAS to capitalise on during elections.

To that, Nik Aziz said, "We will continue to raise issues through our political party and we will convince the younger generation that the present federal government resembles a communist regime and abuses democracy.

"When I was a student, I had the chance to learn about the political systems of the world, and what is seen here now is just like what the communists practised."

Nik Aziz also disagreed with views that the BN's victory in the Indera Kayangan by-election last Saturday is due to the 'widespread support' of the people for the ruling party's policies.

"If BN is really that well received by the people, then why the need to shut out [dissenting] views and information from the public?" he asked, referring to the fact there was virtually no coverage of opposition views on TV or radio, and very little on other media.

Nik Aziz believes PAS still has a "pretty good chance" of winning the people's vote in future provided that the BN "plays fair", he says, and does not impinge on the opposition's freedom to disseminate its views.

"Actually, our future is quite good as long as the bad guys are around. Of course, this depends on our ability to rebut the accusations thrown at us," he said, adding point-blank that the "bad guys" are the BN and, in particular, Umno.

Communist party's regard

Meanwhile, national news agency Bernama today reported that the Communist Party of China wishes to learn from Umno on ways of asserting itself and protecting the country's economic sovereignty.

"With the challenges of the 21st century and globalisation, we want to strengthen the party and it is very useful to study and learn on party building from other political parties like Umno and from other countries," Li Junru, the party's vice-president of the Central Party School, central committee, was quoted as saying.

Li, who is leading an eight-member CPC Cadre Study Delegation for a five-day working visit to Malaysia, reportedly said that both parties had so much in common as the ruling party of their respective countries.

He was speaking to reporters after a briefing by Umno secretary-general Khalil Yaakob at the party's headquarters.