KOTA BARU: Pas claims that many non-Muslims will join the party as associate members once its constitution on the membership is gazetted.
Party secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the non-Muslims who would be joining the party as associate members included a former Negri Sembilan state executive councillor and those from MIC.
"At the moment, we only have non-Muslim Supporters Wing (DHPP) as our non-Muslim members, but after we amended the party's constitution recently, we hope more will join us as associate members.
"Pas can now welcome non-Muslims as its associate members and this makes Pas as the party for all religions and races," he said.
The Kota Baru member of parliament said the amended party constitution could be gazetted within 60 days after its amendment on Sept 14.
On Sept 14, Pas delegates had agreed to amend its constitution to open its membership to non-Muslims as associate members.
The motion tabled by Takiyuddin at the 70th Pas annual muktamar at the Al-Makmur complex in Kerdau, Pahang, received unanimous backing from 1,324 delegates.
However, he said the party associate membership was not open to atheists.
"For those who want to become a Pas associate member, they must practise either Hindu, Christian, Buddhist or any other religion in the world. Conditions to become regular Pas members remain unchanged.
"Yes, practise any other religions apart from Islam, but those without religion and do not believe in God like atheists cannot take up the membership.
"The amendment involves Clause 10, which previously only involved a single type of membership," he said when tabling the proposal.
Takiyuddin said the constitution amendments would strengthen Pas's non-Muslim Supporters Wing (DHPP) by giving its members more rights and responsibilities, including the right to vote at meetings as stipulated under Clause 60 in Pas' constitution.
He added that the amendment would give a bigger space for DHPP to contribute towards the direction of the party.