Opposition leaders Lim Kit Siang and Abdul Hadi Awang have been invited to address a closed-door retreat to be attended by top Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders this weekend in Kuala Lumpur.

However, the two will speak at separate sessions.

Lim, the Parliamentary Opposition Leader and veteran DAP stalwart, told malaysiakini that he has accepted the invitation.

He said he will speak about the present political situation and exchange views with his PKR counterparts.

Asked if there will be any discussion on the possibility of cooperating for the coming general election, he replied: "There will be some references to that."

Earlier this month, PKR adviser and ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim was invited to address a DAP retreat in Cameron Highlands.

However, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the party's close ties was with Anwar and not PKR per se.

In 1999, DAP was part of an opposition alliance called Barisan Alternatif together with PAS and PKR (which was known as Keadilan then). However, DAP left the alliance two years later after crossing swords with PAS over the latter's aim to set up an Islamic state.

Future direction

Meanwhile, PKR information bureau chief Tian Chua said the two-day retreat at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur is expected to be attended by about 100 people.

This will include the party's supreme council members, state leaders and invited guests such as former Barisan Nasional politicians, businessmen and those from various think-tanks.

"We will have several briefings and invited guests will give us some inputs so that we can explore future cooperation," Chua said.

The retreat will also chart PKR's future direction, including in relation to the next general election.

"The next general election is a benchmark that we are facing ... we will prepare our strength to boycott or face the general election," he noted.

The retreat will be officiated by Anwar and his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also the party president.

No to Islamic state

In a related development, DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh said his party will not work with PAS for the coming elections because of its desire to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state.

"We accept Islam as the official religion but we will not work with PAS to turn this country into an Islamic state," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Speaking at a ceramah in Penang last night, Karpal said DAP will not accept PAS if it intends to implement Islamic laws as this is against the federal constitution.

Anwar, who was also present, said PKR has no intention of turning Malaysia into an Islamic state either.

According to the report, he also expressed his desire to contest in the coming polls.

"Don't just stop at feeling happy with what I say, vote for me so that I can win," he said.

The former deputy premier also called for the appointment of Chinese academics as vice-chancellors for at least three public universities.