Speculation that Penang DAP leader Goh Kheng Huat may hop over to Keadilan was further fueled today when he said that he ''might ignore'' a show-cause letter issued to him by his party's leadership.

The DAP disciplinary committee couriered the show-cause to Goh on Friday asking him to explain within 14 days why he defied the party's ban on DAP members campaigning during the recent Indera Kayangan by-election in Perlis.

Goh, the Nibong Tebal member of parliament, said he may ignore the letter. "This is my right. They have given me two weeks to sort things out," he said, according to the The Star .

Keadilan, on the other hand, appears to be prepared to accept Goh if DAP expels him for his alleged recalcitrant behaviour.

Keadilan secretary-general Sahri Bahri told malaysiakini today that, "We will accept any person or group who wants to help the party, even if they are from Umno, as long as they are sincere".

Sahri said since the DAP quit the Barisan Alternatif last year, the agreement that the front's four coalition partners then - Keadilan, PRM, DAP and PAS - not accept members from each other's party now no longer included DAP.

Internal matter

However, Shari said Goh would have to settle his problem with DAP as his (Goh's) decision to go against the party was an "internal matter".

"Keadilan is not responsible for the repercussions of his action. We did not woo him. He has done this based on his own conscience," said Shari.

Sahri said Keadilan was very stringent in accepting new members and their applications would have to be approved by the branch, division and supreme council leaders.

Goh irked DAP party leaders when he showed up in Kangar on the Indera Kayangan nomination day and later joined Keadilan's campaign trail.

Malaysiakini understands that DAP may not expel Goh, even if he doesn't reply to the show-cause letter as an expulsion will mean DAP losing another member of parliament.

Several DAP leaders have already joined Keadilan including Goh's mentor Gooi Hock Seng and Teoh Teik Huat.

Goh captured the Nibong Tebal seat in the 1999 general elections on the DAP ticket. Observers point out that he won due to Malay votes delivered by BA.

However, repeated attempts to contach Goh proved futile.