Malaysia's Islamist party PAS votes to admit non-Muslims

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- Azril Annuar

Azril Annuar Malaysia Correspondent TEMERLOH, Pahang - In order to reach out to those of other faiths, Malaysia's opposition Islamist Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) has amended its Constitution to admit non-Muslims as associate members.

The proposal by the party's central committee was tabled by secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan on Sept 14, during PAS' muktamar (annual congress) that took place from Sept 11 to 15 in three towns in Pahang state.

He said there is only one category of membership currently under Clause 10 of the party's Constitution. To be admitted to PAS, applicants must be Malaysian, Muslim, have reached puberty and pledged obedience to the party.

However, the committee has studied the proposed party constitutional amendments to add associate members as a new category.

"Now that there is a new type of membership, there will be two separate conditions one for Muslims and the other for non-Muslims," Datuk Seri Takiyuddin said.

"The associate members must profess to a religion that is not Islam (atheists are rejected), must be at least 18 years old, Malaysian and obedient to the party" The proposal to elevate those in its non-Muslim wing, Dewan Himpunan Penyokong PAS (DHPP), or PAS Supporters' Wing, as associate members received more than twothirds support from the 1,500 delegates at the meeting. PAS has more than one million members, with more than 60,000 in the DHPP.