There was a strong sense of dj vu for Anwar Ibrahim when he was invited to address DAP leaders in Cameron Highlands on Saturday. Twenty-five years ago, he was invited to address the same party at the same town as leader of the Malaysian Muslim Youth Movement (Abim).

The second DAP's invitation after a quarter century however raised more eyebrows among political observers in view of Anwar's current role as the adviser to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and his ongoing efforts to close ranks between DAP and the Islamic party PAS, PKR's partner in Barisan Alternatif (BA).

DAP, which joined BA in 1999, left two years later after crossing swords with PAS over the latter's insistence in forming an Islamic state should it come into power.

The two parties have since maintained a 'loose' relationship while speculation on when DAP, if ever, will rejoin BA continues.

Looking at 'bigger agenda'

However, both DAP and PKR leaders said Anwar did not extend any specific proposal for DAP to rejoin BA, nor was there any discussion of seats or electoral cooperation plan for the next general election.

One of them said, "(During the dialogue) we are looking at a bigger agenda... there were no specific proposal but of course Anwar would like to seek the understanding of his friends in the DAP first, (so they will) be more forthcoming in the collaboration among opposition parties.

"It's very positive, it's a rare opportunity for Anwar to meet with DAP leaders from all states so we use that occasion to address some of the contentious issues especially on Islamic state and how to deal with PAS."

It is understood that Anwar spoke for about 20 minutes at a luncheon while the dialogue between the two parties lasted for more than an hour.

Among others matters, Anwar touched on the need for a stronger opposition and briefed the DAP leaders on his on-going discussion with PAS.

PKR vice-president Azmin Ali, secretary-general Kamarul Bahrin Abas and Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor were also present.

Anwar, who is presently attached to Georgetown University in Washington, was recently back in the country for 10 days.

The source said the atmosphere throughout the discussion was "very positive", adding that, "the consensus was that the DAP wants to move on, DAP understands that with the current situation, a formidable opposition is needed in the coming election, we can't act alone."

'Not for public consumption'

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, when contacted however brushed aside the possibility of mending fences with PAS, adding that Anwar was not the only speaker at the retreat.

Anwar however, was the only non-DAP politician to speak at the event and PKR, the only party invited to the retreat.

"There was no decision made, it's just a frank discussion, so I think we have to leave it as that. The discussions were confidential, it was between Anwar and the (DAP) leaders," he said when contacted this afternoon.

"Those are frank discussions and not for public consumption. It's an internal matter and we want to keep it behind closed door. That's why we never inform the press. A political retreat is more of a private matter," added Lim.

Asked to comment on the possibility of working with PAS, Lim said: "DAP will collaborate with any party that subscribes to our fundamental views that Malaysia is a secular state based on the 1957 Merdeka Constitution,"

"But for those who don't subscribe to this view, there is no possibility of any collaboration. Even a consideration will be out of the picture," he said, adding that no proposal or decision has been made for DAP to rejoin BA.

Earlier last year, PAS leadership decided to "soften" its stance on its controversial Islamic state policy by reverting to the BA's common manifesto adopted for the 1999 general election, in order to close ranks with other opposition parties after its dismal showing in the March 2004 polls.

The 1999 BA common manifesto was silent on the setting up of an Islamic state but accepted the practice of Islam as a way of life. Nonetheless, DAP then voiced its scepticism as to whether PAS could ever make such a concession.