The much heated Islamic state issue was further inflamed today when DAP leader Karpal Singh verbally torched PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang for "lying" that the duo had discussed the controversial matter.

"I categorically state I have never had any talks or discussions with Hadi at any time over PAS' proposal to set up an Islamic state in the country or for that matter on any other topic," said Karpal in a press statement.

The DAP national chairperson was reacting to a report by the New Straits Times daily yesterday which quoted the PAS deputy president as saying that he had met Karpal and that the latter understood the issue but the "media did not understand".

"If what is attributed to Hadi is the truth then what he has stated is an unmitigated lie," Karpal said.

He also added that Hadi's statement, made during a press conference in Pahang, was also defamatory in nature.

"Hadi's statement, if actually uttered, is devoid of any of any truth and in fact amounts to a deliberate attempt to mislead the public apart from it being highly defamatory of me.

"If he has in fact made the allegation, he must be prepared to face the consequences," Karpal said.

However, Abdul Hadi who is also the chief minister of Terengganu could not be reached for comment.

Verbal war

A verbal war between the two parties in the four-party opposition front Barisan Alternatif (BA) has been heating up over this issue since last month.

The Islamic state conflict between PAS and DAP blew up when Hadi last month said that PAS would not change its stand with regard to establishing an Islamic state once it came to power.

DAP, a secular party espousing democratic socialism, has always been at odds with Islam-based PAS which holds fast to the setting up of an Islamic state in Malaysia.

The issue was discussed again last Monday during a monthly meeting between representatives of the coalition but DAP and PAS failed to reach any consensus on the matter.

Karpal also criticised PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar for maintaining that the 1999 general elections manifesto should not be changed in respect to the establishment of an Islamic way of life in Malaysia.

"I cannot see why PAS cannot agree to specific exclusion of the formation of an Islamic state in the common manifesto of the opposition front," Karpal said.

The Star today reported Mahfuz as saying, "Why should we change that if that is what we promised our voters before?"