PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang also said he was ready to speak to DAP national chairman Karpal Singh about the issue.
Yesterday, Karpal said PR’s dilemma over the Islamic state issue needed to be settled immediately.
“Give time to PAS to explain this issue to the rakyat,” Hadi told The Malaysian Insider today.
“We are always open in explaining this issue (of the Islamic state). We are also ready to meet anyone, including Karpal. But we need time,” he said.
PAS and the DAP have long argued over the issue, with the DAP opposing the idea of transforming Malaysia into an Islamic state.
Recently, PAS has however renewed its push for the concept and proposed implementing it in stages should PR win federal power.
At the PR convention yesterday, Karpal said he was concerned that Barisan Nasional (BN) would use the issue to try and sow discord among PR leaders.
The Bukit Gelugor MP, however, expressed confidence that the PR component parties could reach a consensus over the issue.
He also pointed out that his remarks “over my dead body”, which were made in response to the Islamic state issue in 1990, had been taken out of context.
“What I said 20 years ago was taken out of context. Islam is the official religion but other religious communities also have their rights,” he said.
“Hence, it is not right to say that the Federal Constitution enables us to create an Islamic state. But this can be discussed. I do not want BN to exploit this issue... this can be discussed with (PAS spiritual leader) Tok Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz (Nik Mat) and Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi,” said Karpal.
Today, Hadi claimed that an Islamic state was the best form of administration for Muslims and non-Muslims.
“PAS has a huge responsibility to explain this issue to all citizens. Give us an opportunity to explain this issue as we are confident that an Islamic state is the best, not just for Muslims but also for non-Muslims,” he said.
“We have already proven this in several states such as Kelantan, Kedah, Perak and Terengganu during our administration in the past,” added the Marang MP.
He noted, however, that merely proving the effectiveness of an Islamic state was insufficient as there were still many wrong practices being done in those states.
“To prove it in those states is not enough as many practices are not being done correctly,” said Hadi.
During the PR convention last year, Nik Aziz, who is also the Kelantan mentri besar, said Karpal would be open to the Islamic state concept.
Both Karpal and Nik Aziz had appeared on the same stage and sat beside each other during the convention.
Karpal has stressed many times that the DAP is opposed to an Islamic state despite working with PAS in the opposition pact.
