Even as opposition party PAS looks forward to "making more progress" under new premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's tenure, he has asked for reciprocity.

At a press conference today, Abdullah acknowledged that "there are many opportunities and common areas of interest on which to work together".

However, he said this should be based on agreement on certain undertakings on currently contentious issues, among these an understanding to "keep politics out of the mosque".

Abdullah's comments came on the heels of remarks reported today in the New Straits Times that PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat welcomed the leadership transition and was looking forward to making more progress with the new premier.

In recent weeks, differences have been reported over the management of mosques , as well as the decision by the PAS-led Terengganu government to enforce its recently-gazetted Syariah criminal code.

Avoid 'sensitive' issues

In the same vein, Abdullah also called for "good relations" among all groups concerned on the basis of sharing a "common ground".

He said the Barisan Nasional government's relationship with DAP and PAS could be less confrontational.

Commenting on remarks yesterday by DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock in Parliament calling for all parties to "work together", Abdullah said he welcomed such cooperation but said "politically sensitive" issues should be avoided.

"We can work together on problem areas, although certain things should not be politicised, because that would affect the good relationship (among parties)," he said.

He called on DAP to continue supporting the government on common concerns, as the party had done in the past in relation to developments in Palestine and Iraq.

DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang, meanwhile, criticised Abdullah's maiden speech in Parliament on Monday.

"Members of Parliament, particularly from the opposition, are deprived of the opportunity to effectively hold the government to financial, policy or administrative account whether because of undemocratic laws or unfair parliamentary practices," he said in a statement issued yesterday.