PAS has no grounds to complain or bar PKR from attending the political programmes of its Pakatan Harapan ally Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah).

PKR's Parliamentarian and Assemblyperson Coordinator Bureau chairperson Johari Abdul noted that the party never commented at all when PAS decided to attend functions together with Umno president Najib Abdul Razak, pointing out too that there is no binding political agreement between PAS and PKR to preclude any such restrictions.

"There is no agreement between PAS-PKR. That is why we respect all their actions and statements. And in the same way we too can attend any programme organised by any parties. There is no tie that binds us," he told reporters at party headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

"Mutual respect of each party's decision as practiced in the former Pakatan Rakyat still exists, which is why we were silent when PAS met Umno as it was their right. And there is no solid agreement between us to prescribe what each can or cannot do," he added.

This, Johari explained, is because there is no real link between PKR and PAS, as the Islamic party have decided not to join Harapan, despite being invited.

However, Johari said that the door was still open for PAS to walk hand-in-hand with Harapan should it want to do so in light of the coming polls.

"If they are serious, PAS should think of the previous invitation by the PKR president (for it to join Harapan).

“The presidential council can discuss and give space to any new party that wants to join Harapan, there is no problem with it. More so with elections just around the corner.”

Mutual cooperation

Johari was responding to Kelantan PAS which had expressed disappointment that PKR leaders had attended Amanah programmes in the state, urging that such practices be discontinued 'for mutual well-being'.

Kelantan PAS liaison chief Che Abdullah Mat Nawi had said the matter could cause discomfort in the political relationship between PKR and PAS in the state.

Despite spurning the newly-constituted Harapan, PAS has continued to pursue mutual cooperation with PKR though have declared both DAP and Amanah as their enemies and have refused to agree to opposition straight fights in the polls against BN.

PAS instead has vowed to field candidates in all Amanah and DAP-contested seats.

PAS is still awkwardly a member of the PKR-led state government in Selangor which makes for an uncomfortable situation as it has to deal with Harapan members Amanah and DAP.