PAS is prepared to square off against splinter party Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) in elections.

"It is their right to contest wherever they want to... how many seats and where we will contest will be decided later.

"As a big and experienced political party, PAS is prepared to face any situation in the next elections," PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan told a press conference at the party's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Previously PAS vice-president Iskandar Ab Samad was against Amanah contesting in the upcoming Sarawak state elections, fearing it would split the opposition vote.

Amanah however has not clearly said whether or not it will contest in PAS seats.

Amanah management committee member Mujahid Yusof Rawa ( photo ) said the matter can't be discussed as of yet as it requires discussions with all opposition parties.

This is to ensure that the opposition achieves its goal of defeating BN instead of each other.

Amanah was founded by former progressive leaders in PAS, who were purged from the party's leadership.

They claim PAS is no longer open to outside views, and are alienating their non-Muslim supporters.