Parti Amanah Negara has been placed in an awkward position after PAS yesterday fielded Meru assemblyperson Abdul Rani Osman as its candidate in the upcoming Sungai Besar parliamentary by-election.

Abdul Rani was close to Amanah leaders prior to the formation of the PAS splinter party and still maintains good relationship with them.

Prior to the split in PAS, Abdul Rani and Khalid Samad, now Amanah communication director, had even regularly held press conferences together.

Khalid acknowledged there was nothing to attack his friend on in terms of his personality but Amanah will instead focus on PAS' policies.

He believed PAS' move to field Abdul Rani is also a clear indication that it is putting Pakatan Harapan and not Umno, dead centre in its crosshairs.