Based on developments before the May 9 general election, PAS foresaw that the “BN ship” would be damaged, according to Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob (above).

The PAS deputy spiritual leader noted that among the passengers were experts in certain fields who could help further the Islamic struggle.

“So, we must save the passengers on the BN ship. But this does not mean we want to build a new ship to save the party.

“We can use the passengers from that ship for the benefit of our struggle,” he was quoted as saying by Harakah Online.

Ahmad argued that since the 14th general election, the nation's political landscape has proven to be challenging with regard to the hegemony (ketuanan) of Islam.

The once impregnable BN, and its predecessor the Alliance which ruled the nation for more than six decades, has been reduced to a shadow of its former self following its defeat in the polls.

BN, which once comprised 13 component parties, has since been reduced to four.

There are also voices from within one of BN's founding parties, MCA, to hold a referendum to decide on whether the Chinese-based party should remain in the coalition.

Earlier today, BN chairperson and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was slapped with a total of 45 charges.

The former deputy premier has claimed trial to the charges related to criminal breach of trust, money laundering and receiving gratifications.