PAS has reiterated its stand not to join BN but said it will work with any party in the interest of Islam.

The syura council made this decision at a meeting held last Saturday amidst controversy surrounding the cooperation between Umno and PAS.

"The council stresses that PAS would not join BN.

"We have agreed to continue with our agenda to work with any party for the good and piety in strengthening Islam and its struggle," council secretary Nik Mohd Zawawi Salleh said in a statement today.

Helping each other for the good is among the Islamic policies upheld by the party based on the teachings of Allah, he added.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had extended an olive branch to PAS at the 69th Umno annual general assembly early last month, which was well received by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Both leaders shared the same stage at a regional conference in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 17 last year.

Despite PAS' repeated denial, speculation lingers on the possibility of Umno and PAS forming a pact in the next general election.