Key Chinese parties have rejected an alliance with the hardline opposition Muslim-based PAS if it beats Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's ruling party in upcoming general elections.

PAS has mooted linking-up with the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Gerakan, which are part of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, to form a new government if it wins more parliamentary seats than Abdullah's United Malays National Organisation (Umno).

But MCA president Ong Ka Ting scoffed at the idea, saying the party's stand was a "firm and clear no" because PAS was an extreme party which could destroy the foundations of multi-racial Malaysia, The Star reported today.

Under Umno, the linchpin of the ruling coalition which has been in power since independence from Britain in 1957, Malaysians had enjoyed political, cultural and religious rights, he said.

"The MCA fully supports Umno. It has a proven track record of working to uphold the rights of other races."

MCA deputy president Chan Kong Choy said the offer was a gimmick by PAS to try to win Chinese votes but "they ought to realise by now that the majority of Chinese do not trust PAS."

Gerakan officials also rejected any possibility of cooperating with PAS, which rules two of Malaysia's 13 states.

"Our political idelogy under the Barisan Nasional is opposed to that of PAS. There is no way Gerakan members will support such a proposal," said a party state leader Fong Chok Gin.

Malay voters

In 1999 polls, PAS won control of a second state and more than tripled its parliamentary seats to 27 as many Malay voters switched to the opposition following the sacking and jailing of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim in

PAS, which hopes to set up an Islamic state with some crimes punishable by amputations and stoning to death, aims to capture four more states in this year's polls which are due by the end of the year but widely tipped to be called before April.

But even in the unlikely event that it won more Malay votes than Umno it stands no chance of grabbing power because the minority Chinese and Indians hold the balance of power and are unlikely to support PAS's Islamic extremism.

PAS's Islamic ambitions led in 2001 to the withdrawal of its Chinese-based ally, the Democratic Action Party (DAP), from an opposition alliance it headed.

Malays make up some 60 percent of Malaysia's 25 million people, followed by the Chinese who account for about 26 percent and Indians about eight percent.

The general election will be the first real test for Abdullah, who became premier nearly three months ago after taking over from veteran strongman Mahathir Mohamad who retired Oct 31 after 22 years in power. - AFP