The finger-pointing has started in earnest today, with the DAP and SUPP throwing challenges at each other to state their stand on the issue of an Islamic state in Malaysia.

SUPP were first off the block, hurling accusations at a dinner last night claiming that a vote for DAP equals a vote for PAS and their aspirations to turn the country into an Islamic state.

NONE The incumbent party followed up their attacks this morning, with Sibu information chief Daniel Ngieng (left) challenging DAP to either declare their support for PAS and their dreams of an Islamic state or leave the Pakatan Rakyat at their daily press conference.

DAP returned the favour at their daily press conference, daring Sarawak's second finance minister and SUPP Sibu chief Wong Soon Koh to ask Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to state that Malaysia is a secular, and not an Islamic, state.

NONE Their Sibu by-election candidate and Sarawak chief Wong Ho Leng ( right ) said DAP's stand has been very clearly in support of secularism and challenged SUPP to declare where they stand on the issue.

"Najib will be coming to Sibu on May 12. The moment he lands in Sibu airport, we want our second Finance Minister, the captain of the so-called ‘Wawasan' team of Sibu, to ask Najib to state that Malaysia is in fact a secular state and not an Islamic state.

"I dare Wong Soon Koh to take his stand on this matter," Ho Leng said.

NONE DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang said the SUPP's ploy of linking DAP with PAS' agenda for an Islamic state is a poor attempt at creating a "killer weapon".

Lim (right) agreed that DAP and PAS have "divergent positions" on the issue, but stressed that it is not a divisive factor as the Pakatan Rakyat are united by the fundamental principles of the federal constitution.

"This is something they think will ensure the defeat of Ho Leng and victory for SUPP.

"But you can see in Peninsular Malaysia, this ultimate weapon has been destroyed because the people in Peninsular Malaysia have more opportunity to see through the falsity of this lie.

"We are confident. Our policy and stand is much better than SUPP," Lim said.