The relationship between PAS and PKR in Penang may be as good as over, for as of now 12 of the 13 divisions of the Islamic party in the state have formally, at their annual general meetings (AGMs), cut off ties with PKR.

Penang PAS information chief Iszuree Ibrahim said the remaining division - Tanjong - will also decide on this matter at its AGM tomorrow.

However, for PKR, all is not over yet because the party wants to await the final decision from the top PAS leadership, to be made at its annual general assembly (muktamar), to be held in Alor Setar, Kedah, from April 27 to May 1.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said the party is closely following the developments on this issue at the PAS divisional AGMs in Penang and in the other states as well.

These meetings will culminate with the PAS muktamar.

"We respect any political decision taken by PAS at the levels of its state, Youth and Wanita wings as they are appropriate with the country's democratic practice," Saifuddin (photo) told Malaysiakini.

"It is better for us to wait for the decision of the party's muktamar, and we understand that their top leadership will also take a position on the party's relationship with PKR," he added.

PAS leaders in Penang were booted out of the state government in 2015, after the party decided to sever ties with DAP and left the then opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat.

PAS itself came to a split with its so-called progressive leaders, led by Mohamad Sabu, leaving the party to form Parti Amanah Negara, which is also a member of reborn opposition coalition, Pakatan Harapan.

Building strong pact for GE14

Saifuddin said PKR's focus now is to combine all efforts and strengths of the opposition to build a strong pact to face the 14th general election (GE14).

The main goal of this coalition is to topple BN and Umno, come GE14, he added.

"This is why we accepted, by consensus, the entry of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) into Pakatan Harapan," Saifuddin explained.

"The next step is to register Harapan with the Registrar of Societies as soon as possible," he added.

Saifuddin said Harapan is confident that the people are ready for a change in the federal government.

He added that the rakyat are also watching closely how opposition parties managed their differences.

"While we build a strong coalition among us, we will continue to aggressively highlight issues to defend the people and will criticise the government for any wrongdoing," he added.