Several opposition party leaders are harbouring the hope of seeing Pakatan Rakyat remain as a political force, albeit on different grounds.

Minutes after DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng announced in a statement that Pakatan, as Malaysians know it, is no more, PAS and PKR leaders still uttered the coalition's name with pride and insisted they were still part of it.

PAS Youth chief Nik Abduh Nik Aziz said Pakatan remained as a coalition and DAP was only acting alone in making its decision.

Insisting that the PAS Syura Council has yet to discuss the motion to sever ties with DAP - which was passed without debate at its 61st muktamar - he said it was now up to PAS and PKR to uphold the coalition.

"(Pakatan) is not over. We remain with two parties. We in Pakatan are a coalition of parties, as long as Pakatan has two parties, the coalition is still there.

"This all is up to PAS and PKR," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

Lesson to all

Meanwhile, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad said the DAP decision was a lesson to PAS and Pakatan leaders that they should watch their mouths when talking about their friends.

"What was mentioned by DAP (in its statement), sadly, is the result of that motion and we hope this will be a lesson to all to take care of their actions and words because Pakatan is not something we make and strengthen in a short time.

"It is the result of years and years of fighting together but when you don't watch your mouth, or your actions, then this is what happens," he added.

However Khalid said he would still work for the cooperation between the parties and tahaluf siyasi (political cooperation) between the people to topple Umno and BN.

"It would remain as my ambition and I am confident that most of the PAS members would want to create a coalition of political parties who is strong, honest and together to replace BN in the next general election.

"It is a political truth that no single political party can defeat BN alone. We need coalition and Pakatan. That is why the old leadership struggle to form the coalition,” he added.

DAP jumped the gun

Meanwhile, PKR vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said DAP jumped the gun on its  decision.

The Bukit Katil MP said discussions to bring back PAS and DAP is still ongoing and insisted that the motion by PAS ulama wing in muktamar is merely a suggestion, pending decision by the syura council.

"(So) to say that Pakatan has broken up is too early. While we respect DAP who brought PKR together in a new alliance and coalition, I want to remind them that the decision (of the motion) is not finalised and only a suggestion.

"I believe the space for discussion will be used fully by all," he said.

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin stated although he expected this to happen, he is confident this is not the end of Pakatan.

"I think we saw it coming, and I think Pakatan will rise like a phoenix from the ashes.

"Tonight we are going to have a bureau politic discussion and we will issue a statement after this," added the PKR lawmaker.