NECF has chosen to voice its concern through MCCBHS (Malaysia Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism) as the council represents the common interests of non-Muslims.

In a letter to the council’s president, the Most Rev Anthony Soter Fernandez, NECF expressed alarm over the blueprint, particularly one feature that said "The Syariah is the supreme law, superseding the Federal Constitution". Currently, the Federal Constitution supersedes all other laws in the country.

Although the blueprint has yet to be officially announced, NECF stated in the letter that "we should, without further delay, put forth a presentation before our Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minster, conveying our concern and also the need of the government to act appropriately…"

Other features of the blueprint are: Non-Muslims caught for criminal offences will still come under the country’s present criminal penal code; the Prime Minister has to be a Muslim; other cabinet posts are open to non-Muslims, including women; and Non-Muslims will not be classified as dhimmi but will be expected to pay income tax but not any special tithe.

(Dhimmi is the term used to describe non-Muslims who live in societies governed by Muslim rulers and law. They have limited autonomy and are subject to a specific tax higher than the tax on Muslims.)

The news of PAS’ blueprint was first reported in mid-June by the Singapore Straits Times, which said that the copy of the final draft had been approved by the party’s Council of Ulamaks.

A fortnight later, the Sunday Star ran an analysis which raised several questions on the pragmatic application of the blueprint in a pluralistic society.

Among the questions asked were: How can there be democracy when the ulama have the final say on any law? If a non-Muslim man rapes a Muslim woman, which law will he be tried under?