Keadilan and PRM should leave the Barisan Alternatif and join the secular front proposed by DAP as being aligned to PAS would only spell disaster, warned DAP deputy chairperson Karpal Singh today.

The opposition leader said it is still not too late for both parties to reconsider and review their continued presence in the opposition front.

"It would be in the interest of both Keadilan and PRM to leave the BA and team up with the DAP," he said in a statement today.

Claiming that DAP had no ulterior motive, Karpal said the party was only providing Keadilan and PRM with an alternative in the interest of their own survival.

"Clinging on to PAS in the BA would only spell disaster for the two parties, unless PAS is willing to forego its aim of turning Malaysia into an Islamic state," he said.

He added that DAP would even consider rejoining the front should PAS give up this ambition.

In September, DAP withdrew from BA citing 'irreconcilable differences' with PAS over the latter's stand on the Islamic state issue.

"DAP would want to be part of a united opposition but not at the cost of sacrificing its principles," stressed Karpal.

No surprise

The new front was proposed by DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang when speaking at the London School of Economics last Wednesday.

In a statement today, Lim said the party was prepared to form a new secular opposition front with the hope that Keadilan, PRM and other political parties, including progressive Islamic forces, would join.

However, Lim said he would not be surprised if Keadilan and PRM refused to join the new front.

"If DAP was unable to convince them to join forces to persuade PAS to resolve the Islamic state issue, it should be no surprise that Keadilan and PRM are still not prepared to make common cause with DAP to defend a secular Malaysia and to ward off the attempt to establish an Islamic state," he said.