PAS has set its sights on the Permatang Pauh parliament seat, much to the chagrin of PKR which considers the constituency in Penang to be symbolic.

In a media statement this afternoon, PKR vice-president Tian Chua expressed regret that his party's former ally had launched its election machinery in Permatang Pauh over the weekend.

“The PAS programme is an act of provocation and arrogance which does not help the efforts to defeat the Umno-BN regime.

“Permatang Pauh is known as a parliament seat closely linked to PKR and a symbol of the people's uprising through the reformasi movement since the 1999 general election.

“Since then, PKR has won the seat six times through by-elections and general elections. It is certain that PKR is capable of defending the seat,” he said.

Permatang Pauh is the power base of jailed former opposition leader and PKR de facto head Anwar Ibrahim.

The seat is currently held by Anwar's wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail

Meanwhile, Tian Chua pointed out that PAS's move would be viewed as opposition parties bickering among themselves.

“This attitude contradicts the statements of PAS leaders who consider the party as still being part of the opposition bloc which seeks to defeat Umno-BN in GE14.

“If PAS is serious about battling Umno-BN, the PAS leadership must stop actions which test the patience of PKR,” he said.

In May, PAS had severed its political cooperation with PKR, which is now a member of the Pakatan Harapan coalition comprising PAS splinter party Parti Amanah Negara, DAP and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

During the event in Permatang Pauh, PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad reportedly showed photographs of Anwar having tea with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and cited news reports where DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang was quoted as saying he was willing to work with BN to save Malaysia.

Apart from this, he also showed photographs of DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng with Najib, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as well as Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz.

“If it were me in the photo, they would say it is confirmed that PAS is with Umno, or I have some project with Umno,” Idris had said.