Former Perak PAS commissioner Ahmad Awang has denied that the idea of a unity government was agreed upon after the political crisis that had occurred in the state back in 2008.

Ahmad said the matter was only informed by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and no decision was made as former PAS spiritual leader, the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, did not agree with the idea.

"Actually, a unity government means that all the parties unite to become the government. But the idea was only given and no decision was made," Ahmad told Malaysiakini in an interview conducted last Saturday.

"(However), unity government was consequently defined as negotiations between PAS and Umno and Nik Aziz ( photo ) was very much against this, so a unity government did not come into being," he said.

Ahmad, who will be challenging Abdul Hadi for the top party post in the upcoming party elections next week, said that the idea of a unity government was not welcomed by any party.

He added that PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had even lobbied for several Sabah MPs to join Pakatan Rakyat.

Nevertheless, plans to topple the BN government on Sept 16, 2008 was not successful, said Ahmad who was also PAS vice-president.

"All of that failed," he said.

PAS will remain in Pakatan

Meanwhile, when asked whether the upcoming muktamar would be the determining factor in the formation of a unity government, Ahmad said the idea would not be realised as it is rejected by party members.

"Pakatan has been the party's stance since the previous muktamar .

"No one, especially the syura council, had discussed on whether PAS should leave Pakatan.

"So the status quo is that PAS will remain in Pakatan and the issue of a unity government does not arise. That will definitely be against the stance of a majority of PAS members," he said.

Abdul Hadi ( photo ) in a ' Bicara Harakah ' programme last Tuesday claimed that all component parties in the opposition had agreed to form a unity government with BN.

He also claimed that Anwar and Nik Aziz had agreed to the idea.

However, PKR refuted Abdul Hadi's statement and denied that Anwar had agreed to form a unity government with BN.

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