PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad's recent statement telling individual leaders to leave the party if they wish to merge with Umno has raised concerns among grassroots of yet another split in its leadership.

Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar said he has been approached by ordinary members who are concerned with the party's future direction and wanted to know who are the leaders involved.

"I only told them that I have no information of any conflicts within PAS on the issue of its cooperation with Umno," said the former PAS vice-president, adding that the members are concerned over what they perceive to be conflicting statements on the PAS-Umno merger controversy.

Among others, Mahfuz said PAS members had quoted party secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan who recently said the Islamist party is willing to forgive and forget Umno's past sins.

Mahfuz also said Idris' statement also seems to imply that the current PAS leadership is divided into two camps - one that wishes to cooperate with Umno and the other that does not.

"There are many members who feel that the statement (by Idris) implies there are attempts by certain quarters to initiate a merger, cooperation or political collaboration between PAS and Umno.

"I am not sure who among the leaders are involved but Idris' statement has been a topic of discussion and debate among ordinary members," Mahfuz said in a statement.

While Idris ( photo ) did not mention any names, Mahfuz said the individuals must be from among PAS top leaders, or else they will not yield any significant influence.

He also noted that Idris said PAS had survived losing its top leaders to Umno because the party's struggle is founded on policies and not individuals.

"I believe that there are basis to the concerns raised by ordinary members on this issue and it is not about agreeing or disagreeing to cooperate with Umno.

"What they want is a stand to be taken and certainty (on the future of PAS). I believe members can accept any decisions made, even if it involves cooperating with Umno-BN," he stressed.

Najib had extended an olive branch to PAS during Umno’s general assembly on Dec 11.

Last week, both Najib and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang shared the same stage at a conference.

PAS on the other hand has yet to make an official decision on the matter.