Perhaps the time has come for PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and his friends, including vice-president Iskandar Samad, to leave the Islamic party, according to Amanah.

Amanah communications director Khalid Samad said they should consider joining other parties in Pakatan Harapan if PAS were no longer capable of espousing the Islamic message of “mercy to the people” (‘rahmatul-lil-’alamin) or of adopting an inclusive approach.

"Choose parties in Pakatan Harapan as a new platform to continue your struggle," Khalid said in a statement today.

He was responding to Tuan Ibrahim's call last week for a ceasefire among opposition parties, which has since been described as a personal stand.

Khalid said Iskandar is the only one in PAS who has openly supported this call.

"This is a sign of the existence of a new mindset in PAS," the former PAS leader said.

The Shah Alam MP said Tuan Ibrahim, Iskandar as well as several PAS leaders from Selangor seemed to be in a quandary.

They had tried voicing out their view that BN was the main enemy and that opposition parties needed a ceasefire to defeat the ruling coalition.

But their voices seemed to be out of tune as the days passed by, said Khalid.

“I’m sure they realise this, too. I think the time has come for PAS leaders who think that Umno/BN is the main political enemy to admit that PAS is no longer like before.

“The time has come for them to admit that the message of Islam that they have fought for so far can no longer be championed by PAS."

Khalid added that his suggestion for them to leave PAS did not mean they had to join Amanah.

“If they think that Amanah is not suitable and has its weaknesses, they are free to make their own judgment. We have never claimed that Amanah is the only party which can carry the fight for Islam."

Khalid said PKR, for instance, has Muslim scholars such as Muhammad Nur Manuty as well as Siddiq Fadzil.

“(PKR de facto leader) Anwar Ibrahim himself is a leader of a Muslim movement who is known by (renowned scholar Yusuf al) Qaradawi and (Wahbah) al-Zuhayli.

“Tuan Ibrahim’s entry into their party will only contribute to their strength and influence,” said Khalid.

Even DAP has shown its openness in accepting various Islamic thoughts, he added.

“They went to Tunisia to meet (Rached) Ghannouchi and other Islamic scholars from the Middle East,” he said.

Khalid cautioned Tuan Ibrahim against remaining in PAS, as doing so will only “give hope to something that is hopeless”.

“PAS has changed; it is getting closer to Umno/BN. Therefore, Tuan Ibrahim and his friends’ remainder in PAS will lead to PAS supporters remaining in the party, too, even though they have realised the change in PAS.

“As a result, Umno/BN will win big in the next general election because PAS will be in three-cornered fights to ensure an Umno/BN victory,” he said.