Kuala Lampur, July 29 -- JULY 29 - One of the most persistent misunderstandings in Malaysian politics is the claim that criticism of PAS under Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang stems from a fear of Islam. It does not.

Malaysia is a deeply religious country. Islam is the religion of the Federation and has shaped the nation's constitutional identity, institutions and public life since independence.

Millions of Malaysians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, recognise Islam as an integral part of the country's moral and historical foundations.

The issue, therefore, is not Islam.

The issue is politics.

More specifically, it is whether Hadi-led PAS has offered Malaysians a sufficiently broad and convincing political vision capable of governing a divers...