PAS leaders have dismissed speculation that the party may be working on a truce with Pakatan Harapan in certain states.

This came after that PAS leaders in Kelantan, Selangor and Kedah were negotiating with the party's central leadership to be allowed to work out some form of coordination with Harapan to avoid multi-cornered fights in the next general election.

"Ridiculous. There is no intention to negotiate with Harapan," Kelantan PAS deputy commissioner I Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah (photo, above) told Malaysiakini when contacted.

Selangor PAS commissioner Sallehen Mukhyi also denied any ongoing negotiations with the party's central leadership to obtain autonomy in negotiating with Harapan at the state level.

"No (negotiation). I don't know where the story came from," Sallehen said.

Citing sources, The Malaysian Insight reported that the three states were seeking approval to engage with Harapan and avoid multi-cornered fights in the coming general election.

The opposition under the defunct Pakatan Rakyat had ensured one-on-one contest against BN in a majority of seats in the last general election.

Following its demise, PAS formed its own coalition, dubbed Gagasan Sejahtera, while the original members of Pakatan reformed under Harapan, with the addition of Amanah and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

However, there is fear that clashes between the two opposition coalitions will work to BN's benefit.

In Kelantan, there has been concern that Amanah, a PAS splinter, may erode PAS' support to BN's benefit.

In Kedah and Selangor, former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir, who is also Bersatu deputy president, and Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali, have expressed willingness to work out some form of cooperation or coordination with PAS.

However, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang is expected to have the final say, for election candidates at both the state and federal levels must receive his letter of appointment in order to contest.

Even if state PAS leaders were to give way to Harapan in certain seats, the central leadership can still nominate other candidates to contest.