Controversial Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir has kept a firm lid on religious reformers. But in October, he will be succeeded by Abdullah Badawi. No one knows if Badawi will be as successful. Badawi's greatest threat now comes from the growing hard-line Islamic groups rather than the weakened liberal opposition. We visit the northern state of Kelantan where Governor and PAS Islamic party leader, Nik Aziz, tells us that Malaysia should become a true Islamic state. He wants the ethnic Chinese and Indian communities that make up 40% of the population to be converted. Intelligence agencies allege that PAS party members are terrorist who backed the Taliban and so they have been targeted under the controversial Internal Security Act. However, it will take more than brute force to end support for the Islamists.

Produced by ABC Australia.