Instead, a joint technical committee comprising top leaders from both parties is expected to further study what they called a “framework of political understanding”.

“We are refining details of the framework of political understanding in the run-up to the 14th general election and several positive resolutions were adopted in our efforts to form a pact,” said a joint statement by PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and his PPBM counterpart, Mukhriz Mahathir.

The statement added that any future alliance between them would have to be endorsed by their presidents.

The closed-door meeting today was held a day earlier than planned, and 10 days after PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s stinging criticism of the Islamist party, accusing it of dragging its feet in forming an alliance with other opposition parties.

The opposition regard an electoral alliance crucial to ensure straight fights with Barisan Nasional in the next general election.

On Dec 13, PPBM signed an electoral pact with PKR, DAP and Amanah, but stopped short of joining their Pakatan Harapan alliance.

PAS, which has stayed out of Pakatan citing differences with Amanah and DAP, still maintains ties with PKR.