Unity between PAS and Umno was never discussed during meetings by PAS' top leadership, said party vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

"That is our stand. Let me reiterate that PAS will not unite with Umno as what is claimed and being spread through the social media.

"Unity between PAS and Umno has never been discussed at any meeting within the party," Tuan Ibrahim noted in a press statement today.

Tuan Ibrahim's denial follows the release of audio recordings , ostensibly featuring PAS' top two leaders, talking of plans to attack one another.

Talk of unity with their arch nemesis was illogical, Tuan Ibrahim ( left ) said, since Umno would not cede parliamentary seats to PAS.

"PAS has 21 seats in Parliament, as opposed to Umno's 88. If we unite, how many seats will Umno give PAS? Is it going to be 40?" he asked.

He added that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had already made it clear during the party's last national delegates assembly that a PAS-Umno marriage would not happen.

"Such basic policy like this must be made through the muktamar and not via the personal views of any party member.

"If Umno is sincere in implementing Islamic law, Umno could have done so in the states that it controls," he said.

Bad experiences

Tuan Ibrahim said history has shown that overtures from Umno would only take place when the party is weak.

Citing PAS' short-lived tenure in the Barisan Nasional and Alliance coalition with Umno, Tuan Ibrahim said PAS was booted out of the coalition when Umno was strong.

He added that Umno had also punished Kelantan when PAS was in power by denying the state oil royalty, which could have been used for infrastructural development.

"This shows that Umno does not respect the spirit of federalism. Can we trust this party, which has been cruel and despotic to PAS for decades?" he asked.

"If the argument is for Malay unity, let the Malays be united with PAS to form a new government based on Islamic principles, so that it is not seen as a community willing to accept bribes and abuse their power in order to get something, as shown by Umno."