The Bukit Bendera MP said there was no reason Malaysians could not accept political coalitions with a mix of ideologies, such as those in Germany.

“Germany, which is considered an ideal democracy, only became fully democratic after the east-west reunification of the country in 1989,” said Zairil, referring to the collapse of communism in former East Germany, which saw the formation of a united Germany.

“Let’s not forget that Germany had been a fascist nation prior to 1949,” he told FMT.

Former minister Zaid Ibrahim had questioned Zairil’s comparison, saying Malaysia was “not a democracy like Germany”.

Zaid had previously urged Opposition parties to snub PAS, saying the Islamist party could not be part of any electoral pact in the run-up to the next general election.

Zaid said the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition fell apart because it was a coalition of convenience rather than of shared principles.

But Zairil said it was possible for political parties with different ideologies to work together.

He said political parties in neighbouring Indonesia, too, practised loose coalitions for electoral purposes.

“If Indonesians can do it, I don’t see why Malaysians can’t,” he said

Clashing ideologies between Opposition parties have in the past resulted in the collapse of their coalitions.

PAS is pushing for the implementation of Islamic criminal laws, a move opposed by DAP.

Last year, Pakatan Rakyat, comprising PAS, DAP and PKR, was declared dead after PAS announced it was cutting ties with DAP for opposing its plans for hudud laws in Kelantan.

In its place, PKR, DAP and Amanah, a party made up of former PAS leaders, formed Pakatan Harapan.