Is PAS jumping ship?

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said on Sunday that he had met with "very high level" PAS leaders three times and their talks had advanced to another stage.

Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, however, is known to be in favour of the talks although he has said Pas would continue to be in the opposition under the Pakatan Rakyat banner.

In an immediate response, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang confirmed that the meetings took place and said that the discussions had centred on Islam and Malay issues.

Nik Aziz opposes Umno-Pas cooperation on Malay unity and religious issues, calling the efforts a "trap" set by Umno.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is also DAP secretary-general, said it was normal and within Abdullah's rights to meet anyone.

"If Pakatan Rakyat can be disturbed because of one meeting, then it is completely not a pakatan coalition.”

Ironically, we all have heard time and again that DAP will never work with PAS due to the different ideologies of PAS and DAP. But DAP is part of the coalition governments in 4 states although the coalition is loose.

Hence, the interesting political scenario arises, is DAP going to comply with the situation and review the cooperation model with PAS?

Are the talks between PAS and Umno mainly about Islam and its influence on politics and Malay unity are the indication of PAS jumping ship?