The pro-tem office bearers of Harapan Baru have automatically ceased to remain as members of PAS, Selangor PAS says.

Selangor PAS secretary Khairuddin Othman said in a media statement yesterday evening that a large number of the Harapan Baru leaders were from Selangor.

"We respect their decision, which in effect voids their membership as stipulated in Article 13(1)(c) of the PAS constitution," Khairuddin said.

He said the positions they once held in Selangor PAS will be filled immediately.

"Selangor PAS will continue to fulfil its role in the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government. We are confident that PAS will continue to be a core party in Selangor and in Malaysia.

"Any weaknesses will be addressed," Khairuddin ( photo ) added.

His statement appeared to contradict the position of the PAS' central committee, which said that one's membership in PAS would only be void if the person joins another political party.

Among the prominent faces in Harapan Baru who are also office bearers in Selangor PAS are Saari Sungip, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Abdul Khalid Samad and Siti Mariah Mahmud.

Harapan Baru was unveiled yesterday as a new platform for the so-called PAS "progressives". However, this group refused to confirm Harapan Baru will eventually become a political party.

Also last night, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said in Kuala Lumpur that the Islamist party would take drastic action against any member who joins Harapan Baru.

By doing so, Tuan Ibrahim said, the member would be going against the party's constitution.

"Going by the party's constitution, PAS members joining a new party will have their membership automatically terminated," Bernama reported.

Tuan Ibrahim said the party's constitution and by-laws do not allow any members to promote a new party or influence PAS members to join the party.