PAS said the poor turnout at yesterday's anti-GST (Goods and Services Tax) rally without the Islamist party's involvement as compared to previous rallies, is proof of PAS' strength.

"In terms of turnout it may have been a flop because PAS didn't join. If PAS joined, turnout would have been huge," PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man told reporters in Putrajaya today.

More than 2,000 people gathered in downtown Kuala Lumpur yesterday for the protest led by Pakatan Harapan, the new opposition coalition that excludes PAS.

This pales in comparison to the last protest PAS organised in the capital against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), which drew about 4,500 people .

Tuan Ibrahim however said yesterday's anti-GST rally was not a total failure.

"In numbers it failed, but when you look at the issue, it was a success.

"This issue (GST), even if the people don't demonstrate, doesn't mean they don't support (the protest)."

Tuan Ibrahim was speaking to reporters after launching the Putrajaya PAS division annual meeting today.

'Bersih 4 also lacked PAS numbers'

Earlier in his speech, the PAS number two said the low number of Malay participants at last year's Bersih 4 rally, which PAS again stayed away from, was also proof of the party's mobilisation capabilities.

He said he himself had wanted the party to mobilise members for the two-day Bersih protest, but PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had decided against it.

"Less than 10 percent (of the participants were Malays). Without PAS, the rally failed," he claimed, adding the Malay turnout figures vindicate the party.

"We did not realise our strength. We thought we were weak," said Tuan Ibrahim.

Amanah satisfied with turnout

Meanwhile at a seperate press conference, PAS splinter party Amanah said the turnout at yesterday's protest was acceptable.

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu said, they had expected a lower turnout because of economic factors for rural folks, especially rubber tappers, as well as the Chinese Qing Ming festival.

He added unlike Bersih where they built up support over six months, Pakatan Harapan only began whipping up support for yesterday's rally, a week ago.

"But I'm satisfied with the turnout," he said.