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Mr Anwar's multiracial Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), the DAP and PAS formed the loose PR alliance a month after the opposition's biggest-ever electoral success in the March general election. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

By Hazlin Hassan, The Straits Times

MALAYSIA'S opposition is looking battered as open feuds break out among its leaders ahead of an important by-election.

A major issue that could split the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance is the insistence by one of its members, Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), to push ahead with its agenda of imposing hudud or Islamic criminal laws.

The PAS move - as made known by vice-president Husam Musa recently - has outraged its alliance partner, the Democratic Action Party (DAP).

The DAP, which draws its support mostly from the Chinese and Indian communities, is deeply opposed to the proposed laws which, among other things, allow for the amputation of limbs for thieves and caning for adulterers.

DAP chairman Karpal Singh has urged de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to say openly that he is against hudud laws in Malaysia. Datuk Seri Anwar has stayed mum.

Mr Anwar's multiracial Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), the DAP and PAS formed the loose PR alliance a month after the opposition's biggest-ever electoral success in the March general election.

But now they are crossing swords not just over the hudud laws. Infighting over various issues has also broken out among PAS, DAP and PKR MPs in opposition-ruled Selangor.

DAP MPs have criticised PAS over its insistence that beer not be served at football matches.

Meanwhile, a DAP MP Charles Santiago is openly feuding with a senior party member who accused him of having been bought over by the ruling coalition.

And the PKR camp is riven by internal disputes that prompted a threat by PKR lawmaker S. Manikavasagam to quit the party.

There is also a bitter power struggle among some top PKR leaders in Penang.

PKR information chief Tian Chua downplayed the infighting. 'We will have to find a solution, and negotiate with all parties involved,' he told The Sunday Times.

But the by-election in Kuala Terengganu is due on Jan 17, leaving the opposition little time to mend its image.

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