ALOR SETAR: PAS Youth says that its main party is confident of winning five states in the next general election, and that this would pave the way for new Syariah laws to be introduced at the state level.

Outgoing youth chief Nik Abduh Nik Aziz (pic) said if the party meets its target of winning 40 parliamentary seats and five states in the 14th General Election (GE14), PAS could roll out the proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, popularly known as RUU355, if they are passed in Parliament.

“It suffices for me to say here that if the amendments to Act 355 are fated to be passed in Parliament, and PAS manages to govern five states after GE14, we actually have the power to amend state Syariah enactments.

“In addition, we can improve the people’s welfare with various socio-economic policies that are in accordance with Islam,” he told delegates at the opening of the PAS Youth wing’s annual muktamar, here, Thursday.

Nik Abduh, who is set to be replaced as youth chief by Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi at the end of the muktamar, said PAS could meet its GE14 targets by fielding more young candidates and winning support from at least 60% of youth voters in each seat.

He urged the wing’s youth leaders to work hard to ensure that their state was among the five that PAS could conquer in the next election.

“We place our faith in the host state, Kedah Darul Aman - surely, it is included in the five lucky states, and God willing it will be returned to PAS in GE14,” he added.

The PAS wings’ muktamar, including the PAS Ulama and PAS Muslimat assemblies, are taking place simultaneously over the next two days, preceding the party’s 63rd muktamar to be held from April 29 to May 1.