The DAP today criticised Keadilan, its partner in the Barisan Alternatif (BA) opposition coalition, for suggesting that establishing an Islamic state in Malaysia was a possibility.

DAP national deputy chairperson Karpal Singh said he was "somewhat alarmed" by Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail saying that "it remains to be seen" whether the BA will establish an Islamic state in Malaysia, as proposed by PAS deputy president Abdul Hadi Awang, 'as discussions were still going on'.

"To my knowledge there is no plan by the BA to hold any discussions with anyone on the setting up of an Islamic state in Malaysia," he said in a press statement.

"The DAP would certainly have objected to the holding of such discussions," he added.

Karpal, who is a senior lawyer, was responding to Wan Azizah's statement in the The Sun daily today which quoted her as saying that "the process of turning Malaysia into an Islamic state needs to be explained very carefully".

She reportedly said the Hudud law needs to be explained so that it would not instill fear in the people.

"The process of making Malaysia an Islamic state is important, especially the process of justice which is paramount in the religion, and what Keadilan is looking for," said Wan Azizah in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

She said BA has held seminars on the concept of an Islamic state and the misconceptions surrounding it and will continue briefing the people.

On whether BA will establish an Islamic state in Malaysia as already announced by PAS, she was reported to have said "it remains to be seen as discussions are still going on".

Karpal said Wan Azizah should not further add to the anxiety and concern of non-Muslims over the aspirations of PAS to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state.

"I would have thought that Wan Azizah would have come out with an outright rejection of any suggestion by PAS to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state," he said.

"Keadilan is a multi-racial party like DAP and PRM and can ill-afford to encroach upon the sensitivities of its non-Muslim members," he added.

Defying constitution

Karpal said PRM's silence over the matter is also "disturbing" as the question of discussions on turning Malaysia into an Islamic state cannot arise as it will tantamount to defying the Federal Constitution.

"Even Umno has not dared suggest that Malaysia should be turned into an Islamic state.

"The DAP cannot, and will not, associate with any attempt to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state," he said.

Karpal had on previous occasions said that it was difficult to comprehend why PAS leaders were publicly expressing their confidence in the setting up of an Islamic state despite clear provisions against it in the Federal Constitution.

He also said that DAP would have no choice but to leave BA if PAS continued with its stand as DAP was committed to a secular state and would not compromise on it.

It is learnt that BA leaders are currently conducting a series of meetings and the issue of an Islamic state in one of the main items on the agenda.