KUALA NERUS : The notion of PAS ditching UMNO and choosing Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is not true, said Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

The PAS deputy president said the party still had a relationship with UMNO and the Muafakat Nasional (MN) meeting was still going on.

At the same time, he said, PAS remains a component party in Perikatan Nasional (PN).

“This assumption is incorrect… because first of all we are still in Muafakat Nasional.

“Only that the assumption arises because PN is registered and when it is registered, PAS becomes a component.

“So, people think that we want to reject UMNO. Actually not, because UMNO already has Barisan Nasional (BN) and they have also made a statement that they will contest on BN tickets.

"So, PAS respects BN's right to contest on their symbol… but we did not break ties, no. We are still together," he said.

He explained that the joint statement issued by the secretaries-general of PAS and Bersatu was also normal.

Tuan Ibrahim, who is also the Minister of Environment and Water, explained that PAS was impressed with the stand of UMNO leaders not to sever ties with the party, as well as the stand of the Bersatu leadership.

“We still maintain PAS' desire for the ummah to be united. It is enough that we are divided for a long time… 50, 60 years we are divided to face the election,” he added.

Earlier, PAS called on all Muslim groups to save the country in a new alliance, namely PN together with Bersatu, which is based on Islam to lead and have integrity.

Apart from that, PAS President, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, explained the invitation also includes non -Muslims who are not extreme to save the country, without wasting time.