The imminent merger between Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) and Keadilan will be able to 'neutralise' the impact of PAS' Islamic stance and strengthen the Barisan Alternatif (BA) Opposition alliance, said a PRM leader today.

Party deputy secretary-general Ang Hiok Gai said the 'marriage' between the two Malay- based parties may yet be an advantage as it will create a third force in the BA and counterbalance PAS' intention to be the backbone of BA.

In June, PAS moved a motion at its muktamar or annual general assembly stating its aim to be the coalition's backbone.

"This is a political reality that we can no longer deny," said Ang, adding that PAS' ambition will be the argument used to back the merger proposal.

He said the Sanggang and Teluk Kemang by-elections in 1999 showed that Malay votes for the Opposition have peaked adding that Keadilan clinched Lunas in a by-election the same year because of a swing in Chinese votes.

"In the coming general elections, PAS will bank on pro-Malay and pro-Muslim votes while DAP will concentrate on Chinese votes and our new party, to be called PRKM, will woo the multi-racial segments," said Ang.

Growing fear

The merger will be the main focus of delegates attending PRM's 34th national congress, expected to be its last, in Kuala Lumpur this weekend.

About 150 delegates and an equal number of observers from 30 divisions will be discussing whether to adopt their Central Committee's resolution for the merger which will be presented by secretary-general Dr Sanusi Osman.

Ang said there is growing fear over PAS' policies although the Muslim-based party had never hidden its intentions of establishing an Islamic state from Malaysians.

"PAS policies may make or break the BA and from several recent developments we can see that PAS will not change its tune very easily" he said.

Ang reasoned that since the non-Malays are apprehensive of PAS, the merger would be a good way of showing opposition supporters that PAS policies would not become mainstream in BA.

Merger grilling

He also said that although the DAP was still relevant to non-Malays, their support was wavering and they hoped that the new merged party would bring about changes.

"Although the people do not reject the DAP totally, the new party will boost the confidence of the public in BA.," he added.

Ang claimed that the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) was fearful of this prospect and as such it was believed the Internal Security Act (ISA) detention of several key Keadilan leaders recently was linked to the merger process.

Among those being detained under the ISA at the Kamunting camp in Perak are party vice-president Tian Chua and Youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor.

It is believed that during police interrogation, they were grilled on the Keadilan-PRM merger.