I refer to the letter 'We cannot trust PAS'.

I read with great concern the above letter and my feelings were hurt by such irresponsible and stereotyped, ‘trigger-happy’ statements about PAS.

While I do submit to freedom of speech still everything said must be in accordance with knowledge and understanding as a form of responsibility to what we hold true.

The writer maybe one of those who thinks PAS is just a party which ‘rides’ on every issue to gain mileage even though this may go against the principles of its struggle. Or the writer may perceive PAS as a closed-door party with a ‘no go’ policy on everything.

I would like to stress here a few points on the issues raised by the writer:

1. PAS is based on a substantive approach rather than on a formative approach in light of mainstream political ideologies today. The ideal Islamic understanding being its strongest point has given the party all the space it needs to be relevant to contemporary issues that have already challenged the very substance of the free market, neo-liberalism, the neo-cons and earlier on, communism.

After all, despite persecution of Islamic ideals about life and politics by the Western and liberal media, Islam is still the best political alternative for whichever environment we live in whether a multiracial or a plural society.

2. Issues based on the interest of our beloved nation have always been the supreme and preferred priorities. To do that, we have to understand the backdrop of our very existence as a united federation of Malaysia today.

You cannot simply rely on sentiments to explain whatever challenges we encounter today. I’m not interested to go into details as a lot of interpretation invites distortion rather than clearing the air.

My utmost concern is whether all Malaysians today do understand the state we are in today based on the long historical process we have gone through.

3. As for the PAS Supporters Club, I’m responsible for it reaching out to all Malaysians to understand PAS’ role in building a better Malaysia for the future generations.

I’m proud to say that by the grace of Almighty, our efforts have yield some fruit where we have about 10,000 to 15,000 club members all over the country including Sabah and Sarawak.

I do agree with the writer that these members need to be more involved as members of an Islamic Party. Such a hope will only achieved after sorting some technicalities involving PAS’ constitution, PAS’ culture of being more Malay and Muslim and most importantly, the readiness of the club members to embrace PAS’ Islamic political ideology.

This is important because PAS is sincere in its outreach programme; we do not just take in anyone. They have to accept us first before they can be with us. We also do not entertain any member with a personal interest as that will bring disaster to our unity in the party.

4. PAS is committed to its partners in Pakatan and our views on certain issues is to highlight the necessity of a spectrum of opinions as a mark of maturity in riding out the turbulence we are going through now.

But these differences of opinion will not deter our efforts to install Pakatan Rakyat as the government of the country.

5. Finally, I do accept the fact that Pakatan has not come to a collective consensus on issues that are challenging the very foundation of our raison d'etre today.

These prime issues include those such as Malay rights (or some say privileges), Islam as an official religion of the federation, freedom of faith and distribution of the economic pie amongst all Malaysians.

Give us some time. I hope Pakatan leaders will be serious in approaching these problems as a priority. I suggest readers out there understand PAS’ unique approach rather than simplifying, stereotyping or generalising it.

Please don’t have ‘trigger happy’ attitude towards us. It’s not easy for the Indians and the Chinese to support PAS I am also pretty sure that some of them did not vote for us out of frustration with the present system but based on the substance PAS had to offer to them.

This plus their love for the Islamic ideals of justice to all that we promote. Indeed, PAS is for all!

The writer is chairperson, PAS National Unity Bureau.