Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) is seeking an official written response from Pakatan Rakyat on its application to join the coalition, following "contradictory" statements made by members of the Pakatan leadership.

Commenting on a statement made by DAP chairperson Karpal Singh yesterday, PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan said an official response would clear the air and prevent further confusion.

"It has been a while (since the PSM application was made) and we hope (Pakatan) can send us a written response on the status of our application.

"We are confused by the seemingly contradictory decisions...We also want to make sure the people are not confused," Arutchelvan is reported as saying by Sinar Harian Online .

NONE If an official response is given, he said, the matter can then be discussed by PSM members at their forthcoming congress.

"For now, our decision is to join (Pakatan). But we will discuss the matter again, once we receive an official letter," he said.

Karpal ( left ), at a press conference yesterday, urged Pakatan to reconsider PSM's application to join the group, which was made last September.

Karpal also reportedly said he was not aware that the PSM application had been turned down by PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution.

However, Saifuddin later told Sinar Harian that Karpal should consult with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang, who were aware of the matter.

'Decision made by Pakatan leadership council'

He said the decision was not made by PKR alone, but by Pakatan at its leadership council meeting.

"The decision is clear. We do not accept their application, we reject it," Saifuddin is quoted as saying.

PSM's relationship with several Pakatan leaders were strained during the 13th general election, especially in constituencies where PSM-backed candidates contested against Pakatan candidates.

Arutchelvan was in a three-cornered fight against BN and a PKR candidate in Semenyih state seat, while PSM chairperson Nasir Hashim faced BN and PAS in the Kota Damansara state seat.

Arutchelvan contested on the PSM ticket while Nasir contested on the PKR ticket.

Kota Damansara PAS candidate Ridzual Ismail refused to back down, resulting in a split in opposition votes and a victory for the BN. BN also won in Semenyih.