PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said there is no reason why DAP should reject working with PAS to form an opposition alliance for the coming polls.

The Kelantan menteri besar said the Islamic-based party has always kept its doors open for DAP in order to establish a work relationship.

"There is no reason why DAP should reject (working) with PAS. We have always accepted DAP," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Nik Aziz was speaking to reporters following a visit from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Anwar Ibrahim to Kota Baharu.

PAS and PKR are members of the opposition coalition Barisan Alternatif (BA). DAP, a Chinese predominated party, quit BA in 2001 after crossing swords with PAS over their aim to form an Islamic state.

Nik Aziz said PAS has never used the influence of its ally PKR to get DAP to work with PAS again.

"There is no need for (DAP) to be ordered to (work together). PAS has always wanted to work together, but they (DAP) do not want to. So what can we do?" he added.

Meanwhile, Anwar said PKR is confident that DAP will agree to a compromise and work with the other opposition parties to take on Barisan Nasional in the next elections.

Police using force

In another development, Nik Aziz said the police are entitled to use force in order to educate and prevent certain irresponsible quarters from breaking the law.

He said the public cannot blame the police if they are forced to resort to such measures.

"Islam itself permits a father to hit a child, a husband to hit a wife in certain situations. This is practiced throughout the world.

"So when we see extreme situations, where children ride their motorcycles without licenses or helmets as if insulting the law, it is right for the police to use force," he added.

However, he stressed that the police must not get carried away or act beyond their powers.

Recently, the Kelantan police carried out an operation to seize motorcycles from a school compound and fined the owners RM200 for allowing the students to ride without licenses and helmets.

The move drew flak from various quarters, especially parents who accused the police of going beyond their powers in carrying out the operation in a school.