The new party, Gerakan Harapan Baru (Harapan Baru) rumoured to replace PAS in the opposition pact will be formed on Sept 14, said Khalid Samad, a committee member of the new party.

The former senior leader of PAS said the date was chosen for the new party to give PAS time to keep its word to correct its mistakes within 100 days after it decided to sever ties with DAP in the opposition pact.

“This is the last day of the 100 days, which is Sept 14. Two days later, Sept 16, is the most suitable day to hold the first convention or annual general meeting.

“But it all depends, these are only plans and in the end we will see what the political developments are and what is most important is the response from the people,” he told reporters after an Aidilfitri celebratory event by Gerakan Harapan Baru in Kota Baru last night.

It is understood that the party’s first annual general meeting will be held in Kuala Lumpur.

On July 13, several senior PAS leaders who lost during the party elections launched Harapan Baru as an effort to unite the opposition parties.

Harapan Baru is led by former PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, while its interim committee members include former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib, former PAS secretary-general Kamaruddin Jaafar, former PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub, as well as the party’s former senior leaders such as  Khalid Samad, Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli and Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

Asked about his membership in PAS if the new party became a reality, the Shah Alam Member of Parliament said he would leave PAS in a respectable manner.

“God willing, we will leave in a respectable manner when the new party is formed and when we are part of the new party, automatically we will no longer be PAS members because under PAS’ constitution, we cannot be members of two parties,” he said.

Deanwhile, Kuala Krai Member of Parliament Dr Mohd Hatta declined to comment on the agreement made with PAS when he was made the party’s candidate in the last 13th general election.

“I do not want to comment... ask the ulama about this,” he said.

However, Mohd Hatta confirmed joining the new party and was ready to relinquish his membership in PAS.

PAS had drawn up the agreement with its members who were selected as candidates in the general election to ensure that they did not deviate from its Islamic policies, ways and objectives.

- Bernama