Speculation has been rife that PAS, under the stewardship of its president Abdul Hadi Awang, is leaning closer to its traditional arch rival Umno.

Even Umno president Najib Abdul Razak believes this is the case, saying PAS has shown encouraging signs of a possible collaboration.

However, PAS vice-president Iskandar Samad begged to differ.

Claiming that Najib is "daydreaming", he urged the prime minister to "wake up" and solve the problems plaguing Umno and not use PAS as a smokescreen.

"The whole world heard Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin's speech last night. It is clear Umno is facing a serious internal crisis similar to those in 1988 and 1998," he said in a media statement.

Iskandar also accused Umno of committing numerous "sins" towards PAS, especially the Islamic party's grassroots members.

"PAS members or their families were denied allocations or aid which they were supposed to receive as citizens of this nation.

"Civil servants supportive of PAS are warned, threatened or transferred. Traders who back PAS have their stalls torn down.

"PAS activists are detained and some have died as a result of this," he added.

Iskandar noted that the PAS-governed Kelantan was treated as a stepchild since the opposition party seized control of the state for the first time in 1959.

Whereas, he pointed out that the previous PAS Terengganu government was denied the right to petroleum royalty.

According to Iskandar, Umno had a tendency to turn to PAS during its moments of crisis but argued that the wounds inflicted are deep.

"Too many sins have been committed by Umno towards PAS and it is impossible for the grassroots to forgive Umno," he said.

Former allies have also accused PAS of being pro-Umno and deliberately attempting to weaken the opposition bloc by pressing ahead with the implementation of Islamic law.

It was argued that after the demise of PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat in February, Hadi had steered the party in a different direction.

The differences led to the formation of Parti Amanah Negara comprising former PAS leaders and the re-branding of the Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition as Pakatan Harapan.

Hadi and his supporters, on the other hand, argue that Islamic ideals are the bedrock of PAS struggle and this cannot be compromised.