Keadilan denied that "discussions were still going on" between Barisan Alternatif (BA) partners on the setting up of an Islamic state in Malaysia.

Dr Chandra Muzaffar, the party's deputy president said that discussions among top BA leaders in the last two weeks were focused on a variety of ideological issues related to social justice, language, culture and education, including the relationship between Islam and political and individual rights.

"The discussions are directed primarily at enhancing understanding and appreciation of the ideological and political positions of the four BA parties," said Chandra, in a press statement.

"They are not aimed at paving the way for the establishment of an Islamic state," he added.

Yesterday, DAP national deputy chairperson Karpal Singh slammed Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail for saying that "it remains to be seen" whether the BA will establish Malaysia as an Islamic state since discussions are still ongoing.

The idea of an Islamic state was proposed by PAS deputy president and Terengganu Mentri Besar Abdul Hadi Awang since the party wrested the state from ruling front Barisan Nasional in 1999.

Karpal said, "To my knowledge there is no plans by the BA to hold any discussions with anyone towards setting up an Islamic state in Malaysia as the DAP would certainly have objected to the holding of such discussions".

Wan Azizah was reported to have said in The Sun on Monday that "the process of turning Malaysia into an Islamic state needs to be explained very carefully".

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

She was also quoted as saying that BA has held seminars on the concept of an Islamic state and its misconceptions, and will continue doing so to brief the people.

Chandra said Keadilan and its BA partners have agreed that the Common BA Manifesto presented to the public on the eve of the 1999 general elections provides the framework for cooperation among the BA partners.

"The BA manifesto makes no mention of an Islamic state. Neither does it promise to establish a secular state," he said.

"The BA manifesto makes it abundantly clear that BA's goal is to establish a just society, governed on the basis of democratic principles and guided by the fundamental principles of the Malaysian Constitution," he added.

'Islamic state unsuitable'

Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock backed Chandra's denial that there were discussions among BA partners on setting up of an Islamic state.

"DAP's stand is very clear. An Islamic state is an unsuitable, impractical and unacceptable proposal in a multi-racial country like Malaysia," said Kerk.

"Setting up an Islamic state is out of the question for us," he added.

He confirmed Chandra's explanation that BA leaders have had two meetings previously to discuss issues relating to Islam, human rights, education, culture and language.