KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 ― PAS may not join the new Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition, but could instead become a “loose partner” and work with opposition parties in the next general election, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Malay Mail Online understands that while PKR, who had initiated the attempt to court PAS to join the new PR, was confident that the Islamist opposition party would not work with Umno, many leaders from the party, as well as the DAP and newly-formed Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), believed that the move to recruit PAS in the new opposition pact was an exercise in futility.

This is because they believe the current PAS leadership ― under president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang ― will not be able to work with the DAP or Amanah, a splinter group comprising the PAS progressives who lost in the recent PAS election that ended bitterly.

“We know PAS is not going to accept or join the new PR. They would rather have [a] loose coalition, become a loose partner.

“I think the majority view right now (between the opposition parties) is that a new Pakatan be formed between PKR, DAP and Amanah and this new coalition form a loose electoral pact with PAS,” an influential PKR source told Malay Mail Online.

The source explained that PKR needed to be seen as attempting to court PAS into joining the new coalition, although it was highly unlikely to happen.

“You cannot discount the fact that PAS holds the Malay vote. We cannot be seen to be fighting PAS like DAP and Amanah have been doing,” he added.

A DAP leader confirmed this information, saying that having PAS as a loose partner was being discussed, though no concrete decision has been made yet.

“Discussions with PAS are taking place, PKR is doing it, yes. But do you think they will agree (to join the new PR)?

“At least with this, it looks like there have been attempts to include PAS, so when they reject, we can say 'we tried',” the DAP leader said when met at the sidelines of Amanah's official launch in Shah Alam.

When asked to comment on the matter, Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub said having PAS as a loose partner with the new coalition was a “possibility” which could be achieved if the Islamist party agrees that toppling Barisan Nasional should be its main agenda.

“Anything is possible right now. PAS may join (PR) or not join and become a loose partner.

“But looking at the history PAS has with Amanah and DAP, I find it hard to see how they would agree to becoming part of the coalition as an active partner,” the former PAS vice-president told Malay Mail Online.

“For our part, Amanah will initiate the move to form the new Pakatan coalition as soon as possible,” Salahuddin added.

On Monday, PKR urged opposition parties to cease hostilities between themselves ― and after a meeting with PAS, PKR said all the four parties — itself, DAP, PAS and Amanah — should redirect their focus to common enemy Barisan Nasional.

PKR and PAS were expected to discuss a new opposition coalition to replace the defunct PR, but PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said talks are still ongoing with no conclusion anytime soon.

PAS said earlier it will remain in the opposition bloc when Parliament reconvenes next month, but it has not made a decision on joining a new pact with the other three parties.

PR, comprising PKR, PAS and the DAP, broke up earlier this year over PAS’ renewed push to enforce hudud in Kelantan.

DAP has since insisted it will not join any coalition with PAS in it.