In response to DAP 'renegade' leader Goh Kheng Huat's expressed hope that DAP considers rejoining BA for 'opposition unity', another party leader has called on the opposition parties to at least refrain from engaging in public disputes with each other.

"I agree that there should be a united opposition front. And even though we cannot work with each other [we should at least not] fight with each other," DAP publicity secretary Ronnie Liu said when contacted today.

Liu was responding to Goh's statement yesterday which called for opposition unity and urged DAP to return to the BA fold to face their common enemy, Barisan Nasional, in the coming general election.

Goh, who is a DAP Penang state leader and the member of parliament for Nibong Tebal, also said that it is 'more effective' for DAP to check a 'hard-headed' PAS from within the opposition front.

DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang and acting secretary-general Chong Eng have declined to comment on Goh's remarks.

Islamic state, hudud issues

Liu, however, was more forthcoming. While he agreed that Goh had some valid points that opposition parties should be united and BN is their common enemy he maintained that the Islamic state and hudud laws issues should be resolved first before DAP could rejoin BA.

"[Otherwise], our supporters will wonder why we are doing such things. There's no ground for us to rejoin. That will send a wrong message to the people. [They] will misconstrue that DAP is softening its stand against the Islamic state and implementation of the hudud laws," he said.

Liu said the party is aware that PAS would not be able to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state without amending the Federal Constitution which it would not be able to do on its own as that would require a two-third majority.

The Sabah and Sawarak parliamentary seats, where PAS has no influence, would have already denied the Islamic opposition party from amending the constitution, he said.

Unfortunately, Liu noted, many people are not aware of that.

"They see the Islamic state and hudud laws as a real threat.

"People are so fed-up with BN. But, at the same time, they are afraid of an Islamic state," he said.