Thirty-eight percent of almost 22,000 PAS supporters, who responded to a survey on electoral preferences, said they would not vote rather than choose between BN or Pakatan Harapan and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) in a straight fight.

The preliminary survey by PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli's Invoke Centre for Policy Initiatives (I-CPI) found that out of 104,340 respondents, in a three-corner fight, 21 percent would vote for PAS, Harapan-Bersatu 24 percent, and BN 40 percent. Fourteen percent said they would not vote.

Malay support for PAS was at 25 percent compared to BN 40 percent, and Harapan-Bersatu 21 percent.

However, in the event of of straight fight with BN against Harapan-Bersatu, 39 percent said they would vote for the latter, 23 percent would vote for the ruling coalition, while 38 percent would not vote.

Meanwhile, simulations run by the I-CPI also claim that PAS would be totally wiped out in the next election, winning zero seats in five different simulations.

In light of the survey results, which showed that PAS and Harapan-Bersatu combined were more popular than BN, Rafizi appealed to leaders from the Islamist party to seriously consider working out a straight fight solution against BN.

"PAS is in the political ploy by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to split PAS and Harapan.

"For the sake of the public and the people, we should really start to negotiate on a one-to-one fight as soon as possible," he told Malaysiakini.

However, Rafizi said if PAS does not cooperate, there is still a chance to defeat BN.

Simulations run by I-CPI indicated that if 38 percent of PAS voters swung to Harapan-Bersatu, in addition to half of non-voters turning up to cast their ballots for Harapan-Bersatu, and Chinese support was at GE13 levels, then Harapan-Bersatu would win 126 parliament seats, while PAS would win zero.

Rafizi said the swing can be achieved if PAS supporters realised that voting for PAS would be futile, as it would not translate to victory.

PAS is currently the odd man out in national politics, as it is neither with BN nor the main opposition group.

PKR and Bersatu are actively trying to coax PAS to agree to compete against BN one-on-one.

However, the Islamist party has refused to work with other Harapan components, namely its splinter group Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), and DAP.