The PAS leadership are split over the proposal by international evangelist Zakir Naik for the Islamic party to unite with Umno in a unity government, with some dead set against it as decided by the party's syura council, while others are still open to discussing the matter with the Malay party's president Najib Abdul Razak.

Secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said in a statement that the party stands by its previous stand on the matter.

"PAS always holds to the Islamic principle of working together with others in mutual assistance in all good things and matters of faith.

"PAS also stands by the syura council decision made on Jan 2, 2016 that affirms the said principle while stressing that PAS will never join BN," said Takiyuddin.

Meanwhile, party deputy president Idris Ahmad said Zakir's proposal was from the viewpoint of an outsider who does not understand the situation at hand.

"PAS' stand is clear that the issue of an Umno-PAS unity government shall not come up and will not happen.

"That is his view as an outsider, and it is up to him (to say what he will).

"PAS do not need to unite with Umno, instead it is Umno members that need to join PAS," Idris told Malaysiakini .

However, PAS dewan ulama chief Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh said the matter is still open for discussion with Najib.

"Have to ask him (Zakir). If it was Najib's statement I will comment. But up to now we have no comment, we have to discuss with Najib first," said Zawawi.

While touring the country for a series of talks, Zakir had meetings with both Najib and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

In a recorded interview with TV AlHijrah yesterday, Zakir said that a unity government comprising PAS and Umno will bring benefit to Malaysia in moving forward and strengthening Islam.