The accusations that DAP has worked to help the Barisan Nasional by attacking PAS are unfounded. Nonetheless, the aggressive stand by certain DAP national leaders such as Karpal Singh and Lim Kit Siang towards PAS may not all be supported by the DAP grassroots.

A substantial number of DAP grassroots believe that the party should work with PAS to bring about democracy and true check and balance to this country. But that does not mean that they agree with PAS or Umno over the Islamic state issue and their ignoring of the reality that Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious country.

Nonetheless, PAS' deviation from the 1999 BA Common Manifesto was a devastating upset to most DAP members including those who staunchly believe that they should work with PAS. The common goal to fight for democracy should bind all BA component parties' interests together.

PAS acting president Abdul Hadi Awang's aggressive stand is just as destructive as that of Karpal and Lim in destroying hopes for democracy.

If PAS continues to think Kelatan and Terengganu as their only political horizons, and Penang for DAP, the two parties will soon become regional "mosquito parties". Think about it.