Leaders in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) are maintaining a diplomatic stance on their relationship with PAS, despite party chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad's broadside against the Islamist party.

Downplaying the severity of Mahathir's stinging remarks, Bersatu information chief Kamaruddin Md Noor said the party was still open to working with PAS.

"We are open (to working with PAS). Criticising and being criticised is a normal part of politics. What is important is how our decisions can propels us towards our goal to benefit the people and the party.

"On the matter of relations between Bersatu and PAS right now, the analogy is that the ball is now in PAS' court," Kamaruddin told Malaysiakini.

Mahathir last night blogged that PAS' decision not to cooperate with opposition parties and to field candidates in seats it cannot win meant that the party is in support of Umno and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, by splitting up votes for the opposition. 

He also accused PAS of splitting the Malays.

Mahathir responded thus after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang replied to a question on Bersatu's impact on Malay politics by saying that any party that aspires to govern Malaysia should choose between working with PAS or Umno, as Malay political power lies with these two parties.

'All sides need to ceasefire'

Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said all sides need to "ceasefire" if they want to challenge BN.

"The more we fight with one another, the wider the smile we put on BN's face.

"Rakyat first, ego second," Syed Saddiq said.

He added that there was still hope to get PAS to work together with the rest of the opposition, saying the Islamist party could just enter an electoral pact without joining Pakatan Harapan.

Kamaruddin echoed Syed Saddiq's sentiments, saying opposition parties that are "dewasa" (grown up) need to focus on getting ready to fight BN in the next general election.

Prior to officially becoming the fourth member of Pakatan Harapan, Bersatu had initiated several attempts to forge a cooperation with PAS, in order to prevent three-cornered fights in the 14th general election.

Thus far, the negotiations have failed, with PAS saying it will refuse to cooperate with any party that works with its nemesis, DAP, and with its splinter party Amanah.