PKR vice-president Tian Chua said the opposition’s main goal was to deny BN a victory.

“PKR’s cooperation with PAS will continue.

“We will continue efforts to ensure all opposition parties cooperate to have one on one fights in the coming elections,” he said after visiting the family of S Balamurugan, 44, who died on Feb 8 while in police custody.

Tian Chua was responding to PAS’ decision not to work with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) if the party has ties with DAP and Amanah.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said the decision was “final” and in accordance with the guidelines set by PAS previously.

However, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man today insisted that negotiations with the Umno splinter party were still ongoing.

He said cooperation with PPBM was likely as long as PPBM did not join DAP and Amanah in attacking PAS.

He said this same approach was also being used with PKR.

PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad had given PAS a month to decide whether or not it wanted to work with the new party.

Previously, PPBM and PAS had met to draft a framework of understanding regarding the coming general election to ensure one on one fights with BN.

Tuan Ibrahim said PAS did not impose a deadline to complete these negotiations.