Newly minted PAS deputy Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said whatever "new platform" his defeated rival wishes to undertake should be done within PAS.

He said his predecessor Mohamad Sabu should instead work to strengthen the Islamic party.

"Whatever he wants to do, we have no right to stop him. But our activities shouldn't go outside of the party," said Tuan Ibrahim at a press confernce at PAS' headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

"We hope he will strengthen the party," he said when asked about Mohamad's ( left ) announcement of a new platform for defeated PAS progressives.

He was speaking after the party's new central committee's maiden meeting today.

Tuan Ibrahim added it was raised during the meeting that the motion about severing ties with DAP should be discussed.

He said any decision would be made by the syura council.

The latter is to meet this evening, but it is unclear if the matter will be raised then.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang later told reporters at the PAS headquarters that the syura council will only discuss the split with DAP once spiritual leader Haron Din returns after performing the umrah.

He is expected to return to Malaysia on June 30.

In the PAS elections last month the progressives faction was completely wiped out from the party leadership with the exception of Mazlan Aliman.

The latter subsequently quit his central committee post in solidarity with his fallen colleagues, who have since been discussing new directions that do not exlude the formation of a new party.