One has to praise the flexibility of PAS in adapting to Malaysian political reality and social development. In the 1982 election, 78 percent of PAS manifesto contents were about Islam. The leadership change from Malay nationalists to Islamists later that year marked the beginning of concerted efforts to reduce exclusiveness of its appeal.

In the last election, PAS finally revived the old tradition of nominating women candidates. One year after the ascension of the 'young moderate professionals' headed by Ustaz Nasharuddin Mat Isa, this year's muktamar , beginning today, will see another step forward - opening of the door to non-Muslims, a proposal coming from PAS spiritual adviser, Tok Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

If this proposal is accepted, then all the major opposition parties will be (theoretically) multiethnic and multi-religious, posing a strong contrast to the ruling coalition whose three largest component parties are categorically mono-ethnic.

The Tok Guru's suggestion was said to have resulted from the encouraging response of non-Muslim voters in Sarawak's recently concluded state election. The question is then this - how effectively will the PAS membership help to attract non-Muslim voters?