TEMERLOH: Pas today amended its constitution to open its membership to non-Muslims to join the Islamic party as associate members.

The motion tabled by party secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan at the 70th Pas annual muktamar at the Al-Makmur complex in Kerdau here today received unanimous backing from the 1,324 delegates.

However, he said only non-Muslims are allowed to take up the associate membership and atheists are not allowed.

"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 remains unchanged.

"Yes, practise any other religions apart from Islam, and those without a religion 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 will strengthen Pas's non-Muslim Supporters Wing (DHPP) by giving its members more rights and responsibilities, including the right to vote and be picked into the party as stipulated under Clause 60 in Pas's constitution.

"The amendment will give a bigger space for DHPP to contribute towards the direction of the party," he said.

Meanwhile, Pas has also unanimously passed six other motions, including amending the party's constitution to prevent its members from party-hopping.

Takiyuddin said the amendment was introduced to have a clear and stern constitution to tackle anti-hopping issues whereby any member who joins or goes against the decisions of the Islamic party will automatically lose their membership in the party.

The motion involved Clause 15A of its constitution deals with members who choose to become independent elected representatives and was vital to ensure the discipline, and loyalty of those holding positions in the legislature.

The other proposal passed includes to establish the Pas Assabiqun wing for party members aged above 60 years old to continue contributing their views and experience and strengthen the internal management involving Pas wings' at federal, state and branch-level.

The amendment involves the membership requirements for Dewan Ulamak, Youth and As-Sabiqun wing, including the special conditions stipulated in Clause 56(2), 57(2) and 59(2).

The fifth motion involved amendments involving administration issues in Clause 21, 22 and 23 of the party's constitution which includes fixing the duration of the muktamar general assembly which was previously set in April.

Takiyuddin said the timing of the muktamar, which was previously set in April, had been scrapped to provide more privileges in arranging the annual schedule.

"The amendment also limits Pas members from holding more than one position in any party's working committees (positions contested).

He said that this is to improve administrative efficiency and divide responsibilities at all levels," he said.

The 'Pas board of trustees' was established under the sixth amendment tabled by Takiyuddin to manage all moveable and non-movable properties owned by the party at the federal, state, and branch levels.

The board will ensure the assets are managed systematically.

The last proposal involved coordinating the technical issues in the party's constitution, including using ordinary and associate members in their documents.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/09/1105698/pas-approves-motion-prevent-members-jumping-ship