exclusive The nation may have two options - Barisan Nasional or Barisan Alternatif - as the next government but the BA does not seem viable as it is 'cracking-up' due to its different ideologies, said a top government leader in Penang today.

Gerakan vice-president Koh Tsu Koon said that it would be very difficult for the people to support the BA as the opposition front has shown two divergent views through its members PAS and DAP.

He added that without a common stand, before or after elections, even supporters of the opposition would find it difficult to find the coalition tenable.

"The Barisan Nasional may not be perfect but it is still the best option," said Koh, in an exclusive interview with malaysiakini.

Koh, who is Penang chief minister, was asked about Gerakan's role in the BN and national issues the party will be addressing at its national delegates conference on Sept 27 and 28 in Kuala Lumpur.

He was also asked to comment on whether the opposition front is viable compared to the ruling coalition and what challenges Gerakan faces from the seemingly growing popularity of BA.

Islamic state dispute

For months, PAS and DAP have been caught in a controversy over the former's insistence of setting-up of an Islamic state if it comes to power.

DAP opposes this and has threatened to leave the coalition, of which Keadilan and PRM are also component partners, if the matter is not resolved.

DAP has said that the BA would no longer be tenable if PAS cannot convince voters that 'a vote for BA is not a vote for an Islamic state'.

Koh said one of the national issues that Gerakan would discuss at the delegates conference is the party's desire to see Malaysia as a progressive, liberal and secular state.

He said a secular state is provided for in the Constitution with Islam as the official religion and freedom of worship for others.

"We have two options now. BN or BA. Either we want to continue as a progressive, liberal and secular state or set a course for a theocratic state," said Koh.