DAP, which has seen a progressive erosion of popularity with leaders deserting the party over the years, is now struggling to find issues that might increase their diminishing support. The Islamic state controversy comes in timely for DAP to exploit and to gain lost political grounds. DAP has become overzealous in trying to capture the attention of the Malaysian Chinese community by becoming impulsive and obsessive in trying to oppose the Islamic state, mooted by PAS and also by Umno, which claims Malaysia is already an Islamic state.

Any fair-minded Malaysian can clearly see that PAS can only win Malay votes with their Islamic ideology, and there is no way PAS can control Parliament to a point where it can legislate laws to create any form of Islamic administration.

There is no need for DAP to become fanatically anti-Islamic and earn dislike from the Malays - all it has to do is to ensure that the Chinese do not vote for PAS in mixed areas. The teachings of the Koran is clear: the social and criminal laws cannot be applied to non-Muslims. Besides the federal constitution guarantees freedom of worship.

DAP should concentrate in recreating itself, bring in youthful leadership and new blood into their party. They must eliminate the Chinese image and bring in all races. If they cannot achieve this, they should concentrate on exploring the possibility of merging with a multi-ethnic party like Keadilan.