DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang's olive branch to PAS is to unite all forces against Umno, to save Malaysia from becoming a failed state, explained DAP acting chairperson Tan Kok Wai.

He said Lim expressing willingness to work with PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang was not to to help PAS to pass Act 355 or set up an Islamic State.

Instead, Lim wanted Hadi to stand on a higher ground, from the perspective of the nation and people's benefit, to save Malaysia from a rogue state, added Tan.

"Although DAP and PAS have huge differences in ideology, we are now deemed a Kleptocracy country."

Two days ago, Lim said that if PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was prepared to conclude a solemn agreement that the top priority in the 14th General Election was to save Malaysia from becoming a global kleptocracy and a failed and rogue state, he was prepared to cooperate with him.

He said this would likely be the national agenda over the next five to 10 years, and questioned if Abdul Hadi was willing to make such a commitment. However, Lim clarified later, this was just his personal view, and that it had yet to be discussed by DAP’s central committee.

In a statement today, the Cheras MP said Malaysia was facing economic slowdown, currency depreciation, inflation, security issue, heavy taxation and other problems under Umno and Najib Abdul Razak's government.

Thus, DAP must unite all forces that might save the people from the above crises.

However, he reiterated that DAP would not tolerate anything against the Federal Constition including Hadi's Act 355.

He said Lim had mooted a Pensiangan Formula to address Hadi's bill, which was:

• Firstly, the government should not take over Hadi’s private member’s bill, which should remain on the parliamentary order paper; and

• Secondly, formation of an all-party Parliamentary Select Committee to study and make proposals on how to strengthen inter-religious relations in Malaysia based on the Malaysian Constitution, Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Rukunegara, and which should study all proposals relating to religion, including Hadi’s private member’s bill motion.

Meanwhile, DAP National Vice Chairperson Teresa Kok also urged PAS to join hands with Pakatan Harapan and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia to save Malaysia.

She said it cannot be denied that Hadi’s unwillingness and failure to abide by Pakatan Rakyat’s Common Policy caused the ultimate break-up of Pakatan Rakyat.

"The break-up was a big blow to the opposition's political momentum in pushing for political change.

"It also disappointed many opposition supporters who had placed so much hope on the opposition coalition to bring about a change that will save the country."

However, no matter how hurt and disappointed DAP was with Hadi Awang, all the forces that can be gathered must come together to save Malaysia from becoming a global kleptocracy and a failed state, said the Seputeh MP.

She added that personal feelings, no matter how bitter as a result of the break-up should not become an obstacle for the larger agenda.

"The nation’s and the people’s interest must always come first.

"Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) have come to cooperate as there can be no other overriding agenda than to save Malaysia."

She also lambasted MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon for distorting Lim’s proposal to cooperate with Hadi as being willing to neglect the rights of non-Muslims.

She said Lim's proposal was not compromising DAP’s founding principles and did not sell out the rights and interest of the people.

"Time has shown that MCA is so power hungry and opportunistic that it is prepared to permanently work with Umno when the people’s rights are trampled on."

"It is therefore laughable that Chong has the gall to accuse DAP of being opportunistic."