Former PAS lawmaker Mahfuz Omar has ridiculed the Islamist party for now pushing for a unity government in Kedah when they rejected cooperation with Pakatan Harapan before the 14th general election.

The Amanah vice-president was commenting on PAS attempting to get a foot into the Kedah government through the appointment of the state assembly speaker.

In last month's polls, Harapan obtained an equal number of state seats to the combined seats of PAS and Umno.

Despite Harapan eventually being chosen to govern the northern state, PAS continued to submit its own names for the post of speaker and deputy speaker last week, according to its organ Harakah Daily.

“There is nothing wrong with nominating a speaker from PAS, but don't hide behind the slogan of a unity government without the need for an opposition,” Mahfuz said in a statement.

“The people feel like vomiting when they hear that slogan,” he said, reminding PAS that it had previously rejected Harapan's overtures, claiming they did not want to “work with those who betray Islam.”

“Yet now, they want to invite us to form a unity government in Kedah.”

On June 15, Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir said the Harapan-led state government has identified the candidates for speaker and deputy speaker of the state assembly, and would wait for the selection process on July 4.

Mukhriz insisted there was no issue over the speaker’s appointment, and asked for the issue to be laid to rest as “people are tired,” and would not wish to see a fresh state election as PAS had suggested.

Haparan holds 18 seats in the 36-seat state assembly, while PAS has 15 and BN 3.

Mahfuz also took a swipe at PAS' eagerness to form a unity government in Kedah, when they would not entertain the idea of a "government without an opposition” in the states they hold, Kelantan and Terengganu.