DAP seeks talks with PAS on Islamic state
"With a face-to-face discussion between us (PAS and DAP) and the exclusion of the other two (Keadilan and PRM), we may be able to be more open and frank," he told malaysiakini today.
But this does not mean that DAP wanted to exclude Keadilan and PRM, both of which are also part of the opposition Barisan Alternatif coalition, from trying to resolve the controversy, said Liu.
"It is just that when others are around, the partners facing problems may be more diplomatic (thus failing to reach a consensus)," he added.
No agreements
He said bilateral talks were preferred as the other two coalition members, Keadilan and PRM, were relatively not outspoken on the Islamic state issue.
PAS and DAP failed to resolve their differences on the issue of Islamic state after a four-hour meeting of BA's top leadership yesterday.
DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock told malaysiakini that the opposition front leaders had met to seek a way of resolving the controversy but failed to do so.
"We could not reach a consensus," Kerk said, adding that any eventual possibility of a consensus was "hard to predict".
The meeting was BA's normal monthly meeting attended by two representatives from each of the member of the four-party coalition.
The Islamic state conflict between PAS and DAP blew up when PAS deputy president Abdul Hadi Awang, who is also Terengganu mentri besar, insisted that PAS would not change its stand with regards to establishing an Islamic state once it came to power.
Stand by the common manifesto
Keadilan and PRM later issued statements urging the two parties to firmly stand by the BA's common manifesto, adding that the establishment of an Islamic state was never mentioned in the document which was agreed to by the coalition partners before the general elections in 1999.
DAP threatened to pull out if PAS kept to its stand with party chief Lim Kit Siang saying that PAS' decision had made the front "no more tenable".
Meanwhile, deputy chairperson Karpal Singh called for PAS to leave the coalition, putting the future of the front in question.
Lim argued that PAS leaders had altered the ground rules and basic rationale for the formation of the front.
Keadilan and PRM eventually stepped in and offered solutions to resolve the controversy. Both parties proposed meetings to be held between top leaders to resolve the differences and refrain from making press statements that may be detrimental to BA.
Liu said time is running out for the BA as the perceptions and sentiments of the front's supporters are getting jittery.
"Our supporters don't want a break-up but we need assurance from PAS that an Islamic state will not be established," he said.
"Right now, we need a strong statement from PAS as everyone agreed to stand by the BA's common manifesto and constitution during the last general elections," he added.
