PAS will not be moving against a group of it ex-leaders who have expressed an intention to form a new Islamist party to rival PAS.

The party's information chief Nasruddin Hassan said tonight that no action could be taken until such a party was registered by the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

The mooted new party , 'Gerakan Harapan Baru', was announced earlier today by the G18 group comprising PAS progressive faction leaders who were defeated in the recent party elections.

Spearheaded by former PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu ( photo ), they said they would facilitate the formation of a new Islamic-based political party besides  struggle towards the establishment of Pakatan Rakyat 2.0.

“Gerakan Harapan Baru has not yet been registered by the ROS so no action can be taken by the party, “ Nasruddin told reporters after attending a 'buka puasa' function at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

“PAS also has not received any complaints from members regarding this new movement and as such the party's disciplinary committee cannot initiate any action,” he added.

He was responding to questions on whether the party would take action against PAS leaders involved in the setting up of Gerakan Harapan Baru.

'New group can add nothing'

Meanwhile, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said any PAS member who was found to promoting the formation of a new party or enticing PAS members to leave the party would be stripped of their membership.

“Our rules do not allow members to be involved any other party either through promoting that party or by being involved in an effort to draw away PAS members.

“This is against PAS' constitution and we would ask PAS members not to be involved in any such movement to weaken the party. We have a disciplinary committee which will act in this matter and we hope that all sides will abide by the decision of the recent muktamar,” said Tuan Ibrahim ( photo ) who was present at the function.

He added that even if Gerakan Harapan Baru was to be officially registered, it would not add any benefit to the opposition's struggle.

“This group is a part of PAS. Therefore, there is nothing additional they can bring to the opposition coalition.”