The NGO Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (PasMa) said it will discuss the possibility of forming a new party following the outcome of last week’s PAS muktamar.

When asked to comment on the next step for the NGO headed by PAS progressives, the pro-Pakatan faction in the Islamic party that was swept clean out of the party’s top leadership by the conservative ulamas, PasMa president Phahrolrazi Zawawi said this will be discussed in a week.

“PasMa is only a NGO. There have been calls for it to become a political party.

“This is a huge decision that we need to discuss when we have our roundtable discussion on June 13 (Saturday), 2pm,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted.   

When pressed if it will materialise, the Kedah PAS leader said such suggestions have arisen, but all would depend on the outcome of the meeting.

Last month, PasMa said they will make a decision on whether they will form their own political party pending the outcome of the muktamar.

At the time, PAS presidential candidate Ahmad Awang ( photo ) advised the disgruntled PAS members to stay in the Islamic party and work from within.

Ahmad has however failed to unseat president Abdul Hadi Awang, who now heads the new ulama-controlled party leadership.

The outcome has left the opposition coalition hanging by a thread, particularly with a motion for PAS to cut ties with its Pakatan partner DAP now resting in the hands of the syura council and central committee.

To a question, Phahrolrazi said PasMa would allow PAS members who lost this week’s party election to join if it becomes a political party, but stressed that the matter is still to be discussed.