PAS central committee member Khalid Samad has reiterated his warning against "extreme" elements within PAS that pose a threat to the Pakatan coalition.

He said if unchecked during the upcoming party polls, the "extreme" faction may issue a fatwa making it "haram to work with Pakatan" because the coalition rejects hudud.

"If those with (extreme) behaviour are given the mandate in the PAS central (committee), there might be a fatwa that says it is 'haram for PAS to work with Pakatan because Pakatan rejects hudud', just as there was a fatwa that it is 'haram to vote for those who reject hudud'," he wrote in his blog last night.

Khalid was referring to a recent remark by a Permatang Pauh PAS official that it is haram and sinful to vote for those who reject hudud.

Party president Abdul Hadi Awang agreed with this sentiment, according to a Sinar Online report.

The  Permatang Pauh PAS division has refused to campaign for PKR in the by-election, despite rebuke from the party's top leadership including vice president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

Open arms to Umno

Khalid, who is Shah Alam MP, warned that "extreme" PAS members preferred to open their arms to work with Umno than to listen to why PKR does not support the implementation of hudud.

"Extreme PAS is always ready to admit the sincerity of Umno and BN, to the point they say Umno's sincerity should not be questioned.

"At the same time, they are always ready to question the sincerity and reasons raised by PKR (for rejecting hudud).

"And so, little by little (extreme PAS) will bring PAS and Umno closer together," he warned.

Kelantan PAS' decision to table its hudud enactment recently has opened a rift between the Islamist party and its Pakatan partners PKR and DAP.

PAS insiders and analysts both believe that the rift may be healed after the upcoming muktamar in July if it sees a new lineup leading the party.

The rift has also drawn pro-Pakatan PAS leaders into conflict with certain conservatives, who is alleged to have engaged in a smear campaign in the party polls calling such leaders as Khalid "parasites".