Parti Rakyat Malaysia seems to be feeling the heat from PAS policies as it is prepared to review its current position with the Islamic party in the Barisan Alternatif (BA).

At its 36th national congress in Kuala Lumpur today, the party quickly distanced itself from PAS' recent blue-print on an Islamic government.

In his policy speech, PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali said the document entirely belongs to PAS and PRM has nothing to do with it.

Syed Husin said that if PAS is set on "bull-dozing" its controversial policies without consultation, BA may be forced to reappraise the situation.

New arrangement

Perhaps, added Syed Husin, BA which consists of PAS, PRM and Keadilan may have to work towards a new kind of arrangement for loose cooperation among the opposition parties.

This, he argued, can happen "inside and outside BA, whether registered or not".

Former coalition partner DAP had left the BA because it was unable to resolve the Islamic state issue with PAS.

"It will be based on a written agreement, aimed mainly towards fighting a common political enemy, the Umno-Barisan Nasional," he said.

"BA can still be strengthened if PAS review the present situation and come out with an acceptable position," he added.

Aug 3 launching

Meanwhile, a reliable source told malaysiakini that the launching on the new party - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) - which is the result of the PRM-Keadilan merger will be held on Aug 3, although its constitution has yet to be approved by the Registrar of Societies.

Syed Husin said the launching of PKR will be timely as it has to build a party with strong leadership and organisational support from the people, women and youth in particular.

He added that PKR has to play a key role in strengthening Opposition cooperation, in order to the BN two-thirds majority in the forthcoming elections.

"It cannot play second fiddle to PAS, which uses the issues of Islamic state and hudud Laws to consolidate its support, especially in the almost homogenous Malay/ Muslim states of Kelantan and Terengganu, although it causes great difficulty to its partners in mixed constituencies".