I agree with Paul Warren that PAS' leaders will not compromise their quest for an Islamic State because it is simply their belief and conviction that it is their divine calling ('Some simple truths about PAS', of July 11).

There is however another reason. In view that both PAS and its main political rival, Umno, have their respective Islamic credentials and Islamisation programmes, PAS's raison d'etre is to "out- Islamise" Umno and show that PAS' Islamic credentials are better.

This means that PAS has to become more extremist in pursuit of its Islamic agenda in order to distinguish itself from Umno - hence the call by PAS to close down Genting Casino, introduction of Syariah or Hudud laws and other Islamic themes.

So where does DAP go from here? Well, if it can get Keadilan and PRM to side with it against PAS on the Islamic state, PAS should leave the BA coalition. Otherwise DAP should leave.

If DAP is not brave enough to stand alone or still wants to share some crumbs of power, then perhaps its National chairperson Lim Kit Siang should consider making an application to join Barisan Nasional (BN).

Now that the current flavour of the month on the part of BN and its component parties is Bangsa Malaysia, the ideological divide between BN and DAP is actually narrowing rather than widening, as is the case between PAS and DAP.

This (DAP's applying to join BN) is at least less preposterous than Malaysian Peter's outrageous suggestion ('Time to change business and politics', July 11) that Lim Kit Siang should send Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir an application form to join DAP in view of BN's emphasis being changed to 'Malaysia for Malaysians'!

DAP's joining the BN will provide BN a more sincere face in promoting Bangsa Malaysia and will secure for BN the votes of DAP's supporters, and hence there is no reason for BN to reject DAP's application. For the DAP, two of its top leaders may be given deputy ministerial cabinet posts.

Besides, the DAP will be in a better position to influence a change of BN's policies for the better from within the ruling coalition than from outside.