Penang PAS chief Muhammad Fauzi Yusof has denied that his party was 'dancing closer' to Umno, a claim made by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

Lim issued the remark when asked to comment on former PAS deputy chief Nasharuddin Mat Isa accepting the CEO post of Global Movement for Moderates in Malaysia, a project mooted by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Nasharuddin, former MP for Yan and Bachok, was an ardent advocate of PAS-Umno unity government.

Fauzi said Lim's ( photo ) remark about PAS and Umno dancing closer to each other towards a unity government was "baseless".

"This is an old issue as the matter of unity government does not arise at all," Fauzi told reporters when met at the Penang High Court building today.

"He (Lim) purposely raised the issue to cover up Penang government's weaknesses, for instance the (reduced) allocation for (some) religious schools," he added.

Penang executive councillor Abdul Malik Kassim has denied the reduction of allocation for religious schools and said funds were given to the schools based on needs.

Malik said the funds were not a permanent grant but schools took turns to receive the allocation.

Fauzi said PAS has the freedom to meet whoever it wanted, and that should not become an issue.

Long experience and history together

On Penang Umno liaison committee chairperson Zainal Abidin Osman's remark that his party was prepared to work with PAS, Fauzi said both parties 'have long experience and history' together.

He said Zainal was making a political statement.

However, PAS needs to look into the proposal and obseve whether Umno is 'sincere, serious and committed' about working together.

"For instance, what kind of measures will be taken to handle the 1MDB issue and the Goods and Services Tax which affected all of us?" Fauzi asked.

"If they continue to be silent and allow oppression against all layers of society, what's the point of working together?" he queried.

Fauzi was at the High Court along Light Street to show support for former PAS (local) councillor Iszuree Ibrahim who is seeking a judicial review on the Penang executive council's decision to sack him from his post.

Judicial Commissioner Collin Lawrence Sequerah has fixed Dec 7 for decision on whether Iszuree can apply for the judicial review.

Iszuree was sacked last year after he criticised the Penang government's development policies.

Lawyer Mohd Haris Abdullah represented Iszuree while RSN Rayer represents the Penang executive council and state government, and Dominic Pillai, appeared for MPPP, now known as the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).