PAS does not want its partnership - that is being pursued with Umno - to turn into a “pact among bandits”.

Such partnerships will not last long and will only lead to more fights, PAS vice-president Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said.

Therefore, any cooperation between the two parties must prioritise Islam and must demand sincerity between PAS and Umno.

“If we want to cooperate because of politics, such unity pacts will lead to nowhere.

“The parties may be united for a while, but they will later revert to quarrelling. In the end, it will be a pact among bandits,” Amar, who is Kelantan deputy menteri besar, said as a panellist in a forum at the regional conference of al-Azhar graduates last night.

Elaborating on this, Amar said his party is always open when it comes to religion and the Muslim community.

And history was made 17 years ago when former presidents of both parties sat on the same stage to talk about Palestine.

“This evening, history repeats itself when the presidents of both parties sat on the same stage.

“It’s just that this cooperation should not be misconstrued and no quarter should take advantage of it,” he said.

However, Amar stressed that such efforts need the earnestness of all quarters.

“PAS does not want to merge into one party, but we can collaborate,” he said.

Najib in his speech at the regional conference yesterday reiterated the peace offering he made to PAS during the recent Umno general assembly.

PAS, on the other hand, has yet to make a decision on the matter, preferring a “wait and see” approach.