I cannot understand why DAP is paranoid about PAS's intention of setting up an Islamic state should it (PAS) win the general elections in 2004.

First of all, PAS would never win enough seats to change Malaysia's Constitution from a secular state to an Islamic one. It requires a two-thirds majority to do so which PAS by itself would never be able to achieve.

Secondly, should Barisan Alternatif win the general elections with a simple majority and form the federal government, the non-PAS coalition partners could count on Umno, MCA, Gerakan, MIC and other Barisan Nasional component parties to vote against the setting up of an Islamic state.

All the talk about PAS' intentions are purely speculative. At best, PAS could take Kedah and Perlis state seats and form the state government there. PAS would probably still control Kelantan and Terengganu and that would be the best that it could hope for.

It does not require a mathematician to work this scenario out. I think it's time for DAP's Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh not to frighten the Chinese and Indians voters with the PAS Islamic agenda and concentrate on strategising to win in the coming general elections. Or perhaps the two DAP stalwarts have stayed longer than their use-by date, just like the big boss of Barisan Nasional.