The push by those within PKR for the continuation of negotiations with PAS is based on the belief that non-Malays will back PKR and Pakatan Harapan anyway.

PKR vice president Rafizi Ramli said the belief was based on a research finding which found non-Malays will still back them despite its overtures to PAS, due to the strong anti-Umno sentiment.

"In the recent developments that guided the decision to continue negotiations with PAS, despite much progress with Pakatan Harapan, was based on the latest presentation by Redzuan Othman from Institute Darul Ehsan (IDE) and Mohd Noor Nawawi from Unisel.

"They were of the opinion, that based on their research, non-Malay voters hate Umno so much that they will still vote for PKR/Pakatan Harapan even though PKR is seen to be negotiating and cooperating with PAS.

"Therefore, in order to ensure one-on-one contests, negotiations should continue as there will not be a major impact on the support of non-Malays for PKR," he said in a statement today.

However, Rafizi, who is opposed to continued negotiations with PAS, is sceptical of the research finding...