Parti Amanah Negara's performance will be key to whether Pakatan Harapan can capture Perak in the next general election, said DAP.

DAP Youth chief Wong Kah Woh, who is also the party's Perak secretary, said Amanah would have to grow quickly in the next two years to at least match PAS' strength.

He added that it was a "zero-sum-game" between Amanah and PAS and therefore Harapan giving space to PAS would be at the expense of Amanah.

"For Amanah to become a strong party that is capable of defeating Umno, we cannot in any way allow PAS to continue using the platform or original support base of Pakatan Rakyat, which is now Pakatan Harapan," he said.

Wong was speaking at an election forum in Setiawan, Perak yesterday. A copy of his speech was e-mailed to the media.

Wong warned that PAS would use these avenues to block and kill off Amanah.

Pakatan Rakyat was dissolved last year after fierce disagreements between PAS and DAP.

Subsequently, progressive leaders in PAS formed the splinter party Amanah after they were purged by the conservative faction.

The reconstituted Pakatan Harapan comprises PKR, DAP and Amanah.

Wong also urged Amanah to strengthen its service-based campaign to the rakyat such as local council works.

"I am not suggesting that Amanah representatives only focus on local issues... but getting close to the rakyat is necessary.

"It is the only way to win the support of the rakyat against all odds,"he said.

Wong also expressed concern over Amanah's confidence in winning three-cornered fights against PAS and Umno, by taking a third of Malay votes and sweeping non-Malay votes.

"This formula is too optimistic and idealistic and cannot be achieved without a miracle, like a political issue that can break Umno and PAS at the same time," he said.

Wong acknowledged that Amanah is only a five-month old "baby" but said it must quickly grow into an adult within the next two years.

He added that all of Amanah leaders are seasoned politicians and there was no room to slow down.

"The success in Perak will depend on how quickly Amanah can fill the vacuum left by PAS," he said.

Wong added that capturing Malay votes will also be critical for Harapan.

He also admitted missteps by the opposition in the last general election, where the opposition coalition's resources were stretched over too many constituencies.

"Pakatan's strategy of campaigning in all 59 seats (in Perak) aimed at winning 40 seats was a politically unwise strategy.

"Umno took a wise approach of only focusing on 34 seats and aimed to win 31 or 32 seats. It became clear Umno was wiser in this aspect," he said.

BN captured Perak in the last general election by winning 31 seats in the 59-seat state legislative assembly.