With the battle for GE14 being fought along racial and religious lines, Dr Mahathir Mohamad has embarked on a mission to change the perception - which the former premier had helped sow in the past - that DAP is anti-Malay and Islam.

PAS, on the other hand, is banking on a less illustrious figure to convince the non-Muslims that the Islamist party is not against them.

In a Facebook posting, PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan pointed out that Parti Cinta Malaysia's (PCM) willingness to establish political cooperation with PAS is testimony to this.

He welcomed PCM, led by former Gerakan vice-president Huan Cheng Guan, to be a member of the PAS-led third force known as Gagasan Sejahtera, which also comprises Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan).

Ikatan is helmed by fomer cabinet minister Kadir Shiekh Fadzir.

Nasrudin argued that PCM's offer proved that non-Muslims did not shun PAS.

“On the contrary, PAS can work with any quarter, including non-Muslims, as long as PAS' policies and struggle are accepted and respected,” he said.

“I believe Huan as an educated person and someone who wields his own influence among non-Muslims must have analysed and researched PAS' struggle first.

“I am certain he did not make this statement (to work with PAS) blindly, but rather with full understanding of the current political situation,” he added.

Describing Huan's offer as coming at the perfect time, Nasruddin believes that PCM's presence would further strengthen Gagasan Sejahtera.

“We strive towards educating the people to respect one another in a multiracial and multireligious society,” he added.

In the previous general election, both DAP and PAS, who were then allies in the now defunct opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan, capitalised on each other's respective voter base to make political inroads.

The allies have since become bitter foes. The crack in the opposition, claim pundits, would work in favour of BN and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak appears on track to retaining federal power despite the numerous scandals and allegations plaguing his administration.