The Pakatan Rakyat coalition appears to be coming apart in stages with Sabah PKR joining its DAP counterpart in severing ties with PAS in the state.

This comes after Sarawak DAP withdrew from the state coalition last week.

Previously, Sabah DAP called for the formation of a new coalition , minus PAS, following the hudud bill controversy.

Sabah PKR and DAP leaders announced their decision in a joint statement this afternoon.

At the national level, DAP has severed relations with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who is seen as the prime mover of the hudud agenda.

"We have taken into consideration all views, factors as well as the current political situation and made a difficult decision to cut ties and cooperation with PAS.

"However, we remain committed to the struggle within Pakatan between PKR and DAP," read the statement issued by Sabah PKR chief Lajim Ukin ( right ) and Sarawak DAP chief Jimmy Wong.

On the same note, the statement clarified that Muslim leaders in PKR do not reject hudud as it is contained in the Al-Quran, but reject its implementation in Malaysia.

"We had hoped that PAS would not continue with its aim to implement hudud but it is clear that they are serious.

"Thus, it has become complicated to continue political cooperation with them under such circumstances.

"So with a heavy heart, we have decided to sever political cooperation with PAS," it added.