PAS, he added, would have to reorganise the judicial system to make it fall in line with Islamic laws.
Takiyuddin also said non-Muslims would not be allowed to take part in policy-making decisions such as those relating to the Constitution
and the courts.
It means non-Muslims have no say in
politics, the judiciary and
administration.
Takiyuddin's statement may not necessarily reflect the party's official
stand.
But those who follow the announcements made by party president Datuk Fadzil Nor
and his deputy, Abdul Hadi Awang, would realise that Takiyuddin is
consistent with the party stand.
If PAS succeeds in setting up an Islamic
state by next year, most human rights
lawyers would be out of a job. These
vocal activists, who attack the
Government at the slightest instance,
are strangely silent on the outrageous statements by PAS leaders.
Moderate Malaysians have reason to be fearful of PAS intentions because its objective challenges the very basis of the Federal
Constitution.
It also goes against the spirit and
composition of the Malaysian parliamentary system where non Muslim
legislators have a say in the
formulation of any law.
In a PAS-run Islamic state, non Muslims will only have a limited role in the country's governance confined to matters relating to their culture and religion.
Thinking Malaysians, regardless of their
religion and ethnic background, should be very concerned, if not disturbed, by what has been decided by the PAS leadership.
DAP leaders have admitted they are
disturbed by PAS' insistence that the
setting up of an Islamic state be
included in the common opposition
manifesto.
Parti Keadilan Nasional appears to share
the DAP's sentiment but is afraid to
voice its stand for fear of losing the
backing of PAS members.
These parties to the opposition front,
however, are not thrashing out their
differences now. Of immediate importance to them is forming the next federal government.
Thus, they are more comfortable talking
about general issues such as human
rights, freedom of expression and reforms.
Many Malaysians reckon that a strong
opposition is needed as a check-and-balance
to the Barisan Nasional government.
After all, that is what parliamentary
democracy is all about.
The only drawback is that there is
always a tendency to over-vote. In the
1995 general election, the DAP was
almost wiped out in Penang because the islanders did not want to see Lim Kit Siang become chief minister.
The DAP ended up with only a sole
representative. Even Lim himself was defeated by Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh
Tsu Koon.
Many Penangites, it seemed, later felt that they should have voted for a few more opposition assemblymen.
Realising the mistake of going all out
for power, as the DAP did in Penang, Lim
has said that it was more realistic to
urge voters to deny the Barisan its
two-thirds majority.
But some Keadilan leaders, who have
tasted power being in the establishment for the last 16 years, are not keen to make the sacrifices of the Opposition.
As Lim said, being the head of an
opposition party is to wear a crown
of thorns, not jewels.
PAS leaders, too, have walked along the
corridors of power in Kelantan and no longer want to remain in the
opposition.
In exploiting the unhappiness of
Malaysians over the political trend
of the past one year, PAS seems
convinced that total power is within their reach.
We have to be realistic about promises
made by politicians. Those who want to
vote PAS may think they are doing so to
check the Government but if too
many think the same way, they may
end up with something they do not want.
It will be sad to enter the next century
arguing about superficial issues when we
should be catching up on loss time with
the economic recovery.
