Since the by-elections for the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar parliament seats were announced, there has been much speculation on how the contests will serve as a litmus test for both Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and the opposition parties.

However, the BN Backbenchers (BNBBC) portal claimed that Sungai Besar could also prove to be unsafe for Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali, and the undercurrents might test the relationship between PKR and PAS.

When Azmin was absent at the naming of the Pakatan Harapan candidate for Sungai Besar, it had set tongues wagging.

However, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said her deputy needed to take care of the Selangor government, which also comprises PAS.

Yesterday, the menteri besar made an appearance when the candidates filed their nomination papers, and was photographed hugging Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu.

Delving into the issue, an article on BNBBC said Azmin must be grateful to PAS and its president Abdul Hadi Awang for having objected to Wan Azizah becoming menteri besar in 2014.

"But Azmin has forgotten the contribution (jasa) of PAS and Hadi who helped him ascend the throne of power, and is (now) willing to be in cahoots with (PAS splinter party) Amanah in the Sungai Besar polls," it stated.

The article also claimed that Azmin is aware of the implications of hitting the campaign trail with the Amanah candidate, but at the same time, cannot turn his back on the responsibilities of being a member of the Pakatan Harapan presidential council.

It also alleged that there is talk among Selangor PAS leaders that if Azmin crossed the line, the menteri besar might face a no-confidence motion in the state assembly.

“There will be no surprise if the motion is brought by the PAS excos who he (Azmin) purportedly wanted to expel with regard to the tussle over the Sungai Besar seat,” it added.

Azmin had previously denied having issued an ultimatum to the three PAS excos to resign as reported by an English daily, quoting sources.

The BNBBC article said Hadi could be looking into the "no-confidence" motion if the menteri besar went overboard with Selangor PAS leaders.

"If Azmin says PAS does not have the moral standing to go to that extent, Hadi can also tell PKR about morals when launching the 'Kajang Move' to replace (former Selangor menteri besar) Khalid Ibrahim with Wan Azizah instead someone from Selangor," it added.

However, Selangor PAS Iskandar Abdul Samad has said that PKR backing Amanah would not affect the political ties between the two parties, since similar situations have happened in other countries.

The article said perhaps it is time for PAS to show the "red card" to PKR, and adhere to their grassroots who, in the recent muktamar, expressed the need to reexamine ties with PKR.

"It appears the grassroots themselves have realised that PAS is just a toy to PKR, used and discarded according to needs.

"The Sungai Besar by-election may determine the direction of the relationship between PAS and PKR," it added.