KOTA BARU: PAS usually shows its true colours when a general election is looming and it is its unrelenting quest to set up an “Islamic state” at all cost, said Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye.

He said it was important for fence-sitters to understand that PAS is a political chameleon that changes its colour or modifies its policies to seek popular support but has never consistently implemented its own recommendations.

He was responding to the latest PAS-led state government proposal to set up an Islamic satellite town in Pasir Tumboh, 10km from here, where there would be strict adherence to religious socio-economic guidelines.

Among them are strict enforcement of dress codes where Muslim women must wear the stipulated head covering, non-Muslims must don decent attire and all food outlets in the town must be certified halal.

"The real character of PAS is often evident during a general election," Chia said after witnessing the formation of Gerakan's 103rd Kelantan branch at a restaurant here.

In a multi-racial set up, it was important that all ethnic groups feel comfortable to participate in any socio-economic activity in their home towns but PAS seemed to only accord exclusive rights to their own followers without being sensitive to the feelings of other groups, Chia said.