A major faction in Umno is determined to take on Bersatu in the next general election and is pressuring PAS to ditch Bersatu, forcing the Islamist party to come out with a rebuke.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said Muafakat does not prevent his party from joining any other coalition, just as it does not prevent Umno from remaining with BN.

"No one should ask PAS to choose whether to stay with Muafakat or not as PAS is a key character in the formation of Muafakat and the policy to unite Muslims," Takiyuddin added.