Parti Amanah Negara wants Pakatan Harapan to give PAS an ultimatum on whether it wants to cooperate with the opposition coalition for the 14th general election.

"A deadline should be given to PAS to make a stand on whether it wants to work with Pakatan Harapan because by the end of 2016, we must be clear about who are with us or against us," Amanah vice-president Mujahid Yusof Rawa said today.

"If they are not working with us, we should deem PAS as working with BN," Mujahid added when met in Penang.

"Staying neutral does not benefit us in Pakatan, instead it benefits BN more," the Parit Buntar MP said.

Mujahid was among 18 "progessive leaders" who quit PAS last year after they lost their posts in the party's leadership.

Prior to this, PAS split up with DAP over its president Abdul Hadi Awang's bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

Although DAP and Amanah cannot work with PAS, their ally PKR is PAS-friendly in Selangor.

Bersatu may join Pakatan

Mujahid was also asked about the possibility of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) becoming a Pakatan ally ahead of the 14th general election, which may be called anytime between now and July 2018.

"We really hope Bersatu will make a clear decision soon on whether it will join Pakatan," he said.

It is learnt that Pakatan Harapan's presidential council meeting will convene on Dec 13 to discuss these matters.

"Here is where we will seek their decision after they said they will postpone it. This time, they may have a decision and we see it as something positive," Mujahid added.

Amanah wants PAS seats

He also said Amanah has "keen interest" in contesting in PAS seats as the Islamic party is no longer an ally of Pakatan Harapan.

Mujahid said the decision was not personal, although it may affect some PAS elected representatives who are friendly to Pakatan Harapan.

In Penang, Salleh Man, who holds the Permatang Pasir state seat, is Pakatan-friendly but Mujahid said Amanah is vying for the seat.

"It is not about Salleh Man. No matter how nice people are, their party policies come first; we consider him as our friend but the party is not."

Mujahid said Amanah has already been working on the ground as it has its members in the village development and security committees in various constituencies.

Mahathir, boon or bane?

On Dr Mahathir Mohamad's influence and whether his involvement in Pakatan Harapan will be a boon or bane, Mujahid said the former prime minister used to be at odds with DAP, but lately his views of the party has changed.

Mahathir now sees a window of opportunity to reconcile with DAP, said Mujahid.

"This is after observing DAP's policies, he now says he was wrong about the party.

"Mahathir even turned up at DAP's convention in Kuala Lumpur and he has the opportunity to befriend anyone in the coalition," Mujahid added.