PAS' intention to establish an Islamic state is no longer an issue, said PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim today in a bid to close ranks between opposition parties ahead of the coming general election.

"The Islamic state issue is not an issue for PAS now. They have not talked about it or raised this issue for the past three years, I don't think it's relevant to take it up now," he told reporters at his Petaling Jaya office.

Anwar's statement was an apparent reaction to DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh, who recently said his party would only work with PKR if it disassociated itself from PAS.

Karpal's remark had raised eyebrows since it came in the midst of ongoing seat negotiations between DAP and PKR.

Both PAS and PKR are members of the Barisan Alternatif opposition front. DAP had left the front in 2001 following a spat over the Islamic state issue.

However, since its dismal showing in the 2004 general election, PAS has vowed to ' soften ' its stance on the Islamic state issue in order to win the support of non-Muslim voters.

Issues with substance

According to Anwar, there should be a consensus among opposition parties to fight for issues with substance such as for free and fair elections and the independence of the judiciary.

Citing an example, he said: "I am very pleased that PAS has came out with a very strong statement to defend the pig rearing (issue in Malacca)... We have gone far ahead in terms of identifying issues of concern (to the people)."

Anwar also believes that Karpal's statement would not jeopardise seat negotiations between the two parties

"Most of the contentious issues raised by DAP and PAS on the Islamic state is a matter of the past, it's no longer an issue. If need be, I will meet and discuss further with Karpal," he said

Earlier, Anwar met a three-member delegation from polls watchdog, Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel).

Mafrel chief Abdul Malek Hussin handed over the watchdog's election monitoring reports to Anwar during the one-hour closed-door meeting.

Mastermind charge

In another development, Anwar denied being the mastermind behind two recent massive street protests.

He described the accusation, made by Minister in the Prime Ministers Department Nazri Abdul Aziz, as "desperate statements from (an) arrogant, irresponsible leader".

"The intention (of Nazri) of course is nasty. The intention is to portray me now as pro-Hindus, as the networking of Umno Youth on the ground (is doing the same)," he said.

"It doesn't matter as I have been accused of so many things, now I am with the Hindus, before this I was with the Chinese and earlier I was with the Jews - so I am a great humanitarian with everybody," he quipped.

Nazri had made the allegation in reference to the Nov 10 rally by polls reform group Bersih and the Nov 25 rally by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

Meanwhile, Anwar reiterated that he was supportive of Hindraf's right to assemble peacefully and its cause although he was of the view that the plight of the poor should transcend race.

On the discussion with Mafrel, he said the reports contained findings on electoral irregularities which were adequate to prove that the electoral system is not clean.

He reiterated the need for a clean and fair election.

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