For the third time in history, the orthodox Islamic PAS is trying to form an alliance with the secular left-leaning DAP, this time through the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

However, contentious issues remain rife - chief among these is PAS' continuing attempts to introduce Islamic polices and laws, to consistently vehement objections from DAP.

The noises have been somewhat muted since Pakatan's unprecedented success in the last general election, in which the coalition initially wrested five states from Barisan Nasional and had to work out a power-sharing formula.

However, this does not mean that PAS had compromised its religious ideals, said its spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

It is the religious duty of every Muslim to ensure that the laws of God, or Syariah law, are implemented on earth.

Given that this does not go down well with political leaders in a multi-racial society, Nik Aziz has offered to explain the PAS stand to DAP.

Excerpts follow from an interview at his office in Kota Bharu last week - the content has been edited for language and brevity.