PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad does not think that the Islamist party's launch of its election machinery in Permatang Pauh was an act of provocation.

"It (provocation) does not arise, because we (launched our election machinery) at all areas," he told Malaysiakini.

The Bukit Gantang lawmaker was responding to PKR vice-president Tian Chua who expressed regret that his party's former ally had launched its election machinery in Permatang Pauh over the weekend, stating that the programme was "an act of provocation and arrogance which does not help efforts to defeat the Umno-BN regime".

Idris, however, believes that this was a matter of interpretation, adding that one was entitled to his or her own interpretation in the matter.

"DAP and Pakatan Harapan launched (their machinery) at the Templer (Park) state seat which is our executive councillor's area.

"There's no problem in that. They are free to do so," he said.

Idris, who launched the PAS programme on Sunday, also pointed out that PAS had launched its machinery in all constituencies throughout the country.

"We have launched our machinery in Bukit Gantang and others have launched the election machinery in other places.

"Since we are going to take part in the election, we are launching our machinery at all areas," he added.

On whether PAS had launched its machinery in other parts in Penang, Idris said he was unsure of this as he had only launched the areas in which he was invited to do so.

Idris also preferred to state that the election "was not occurring in the near future" when asked to respond to Chua who said that PAS' move would be viewed as opposition parties bickering among themselves.

He also said that PAS was undecided on whether it plans to contest in Permatang Pauh or otherwise.

"Even I am not sure whether I will be contesting again or not.

"In PAS, it is not about who will be contesting or who will become prime minister or state executive councillor. What's important is that we fight Umno (and) BN."

Although Idris said PAS was still undecided about contesting in Permatang Pauh, PAS Permatang Pauh chief Omar Hassan was quoted by The Malaysian Insight that the party wanted to contest in the seat as well as the three state seats there.

Permatang Pauh is the power base of jailed former opposition leader and PKR de facto head Anwar Ibrahim.

The seat is currently held by Anwar's wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

PAS, two months ago, had severed its political cooperation with PKR, and is now a member of the Pakatan Harapan coalition comprising PAS splinter party Parti Amanah Negara, DAP and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

With the absence of a cooperation with PKR, PAS is expected to contest in PKR seats which would ultimately lead to three-cornered fights.